Document Document Title
US07992214B2 Method for protecting memory proprietary commands
A method for protecting memory proprietary command is provided. By using the logic block area (LBA) address in the header of the LBA mode, the device end can determine whether the data sector in the LBA mode includes a proprietary command. Also, by using the pre-defined computation function to establish a relation among the values stored in a plurality of characteristic point addresses and a specific point address so that he device end can determine whether a proprietary command is received. As the operating system will not filter out the proprietary command wrapped in this manner, the proprietary command can pass the operating system and be executed by the device end.
US07992212B2 Mobile terminal and gateway for remotely controlling data transfer from secure network
A data transfer system including mobile terminals and gateways for transferring data from a secure network to an external network under remote control using the mobile terminals. A first gateway produces and sends a first key to a second gateway through first and second mobile terminals. The second gateway produces and sends a second key to the first gateway through the first and second mobile terminals. Then the first mobile terminal issues a data download command, which is forwarded from the second mobile terminal to the second gateway. In response to this data download command, the second gateway sends a file request including the first and second keys to the first gateway over a broadband channel.
US07992209B1 Bilateral communication using multiple one-way data links
A bilateral data transfer system comprising a first node, a second node, a first one-way link for unidirectional transfer of first data from the first node to the second node, and a second one-way link for unidirectional transfer of second data from the second node to the first node, wherein the unidirectional transfer of the first data across the first one-way link and the unidirectional transfer of the second data across the second one-way link are independently administered by the bilateral data transfer system. Under such bilateral data transfer system, each of the one-way data links may be subject to separately administered security restrictions and data filtering processes. Hence, it enables secure bilateral communications across different network security domains.
US07992208B2 Detection of nonconforming network traffic flow aggregates for mitigating distributed denial of service attacks
An estimate of a portion of network traffic that is nonconforming to a communication transmission control protocol is used to signal that a distributed denial of service attack may be occurring. Traffic flows are aggregated and packets are intentionally dropped from the flow aggregate in accordance with an assigned perturbation signature. The flow aggregates are observed to determine if the rate of arrival of packets that have a one-to-one transmission correspondence with the dropped packets are similarly responsive to the perturbation signature. By assigning orthogonal perturbation signatures to different routers, multiple routers may perform the test on the aggregate and the results of the test will be correctly ascertained at each router. Nonconforming aggregates may be redefined to finer granularity to determine the node on the network that is under attack, which may then take mitigating action.
US07992205B2 Method and system device for deterring spam over internet protocol telephony and spam instant messaging
A method, system and device for deterring spam on a communication medium are disclosed. The method includes detecting a call with a device for accessing the communication medium, wherein calls thereon include Internet Protocol traffic. The device includes an interface for allowing a user of to flag the call as a spam call (e.g., SPIT, SPIM, etc). Upon the flag, a signaling message associated with the call is accessed. The signaling message is stored as information relating to spam call sources. Upon detecting a subsequent call, a signaling message associated with the subsequent call is compared with the information relating to spam call sources. Upon a match between the signaling message associated with the subsequent call and the information relating to spam call sources, the subsequent call is blocked.
US07992203B2 Methods and systems for secure shared smartcard access
An embodiment generally relates to a method of accessing a secure computer. The method includes capturing an authentication state of a security token in response to a verification of user authentication information. The method also includes providing the authentication state to at least one application requiring authentication with the security token and accessing the at least one application.
US07992200B2 Secure sharing of transport layer security session keys with trusted enforcement points
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to security enforcement point operability in a TLS secured communications path and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for the secure sharing of TLS session keys with trusted enforcement points. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for securely sharing TLS session keys with trusted enforcement points can be provided. The method can include conducting a TLS handshake with a TLS client to extract and decrypt a session key for a TLS session with the TLS client traversing at least one security enforcement point. The method further can include providing the session key to a communicatively coupled key server for distribution to the at least one security enforcement point. Finally, the method can include engaging in secure communications with the TLS client over the TLS session.
US07992199B1 Method for permitting two parties to establish connectivity with both parties behind firewalls
A communications scheme enables a central communications station to assist two communications systems located behind firewalls that prevent communication initiated from an external data network to establish direct communication with each other. In one embodiment, the systems separately establish communications with the central communications station and obtain from it the connection information (e.g., IP address, port, etc.) of the other. The systems then directly communicate with each other using the obtained connection information while pretending to be the central communications station. In another embodiment in which the firewalls include NAT devices that implement network address translation, the systems exchange connection information for establishing a new connection through the central communications station and then complete a three-way handshake with the assistance of the central communications station, thereby allowing the central communications station to remove itself from the communication.
US07992198B2 Unified authentication for web method platforms
An authentication mechanism is provided for a web method platform that allows homogeneous access for different types of clients according to a bootstrapping procedure utilized to establish the session. Different clients can be assigned different levels of trust based in part on the bootstrapping procedure and/or information provided during the procedure. The bootstrapping procedure can produce a token that is used by the clients in subsequent requests to provide previous authentication or state information to the platform. The token can comprise a shared secret used to ensure integrity of communications in some cases, and the token can be opaque to the client. Tokens can expire and require a client to re-bootstrap to provide higher levels of authentication protection, and tokens can be shared among a plurality of application servers to facilitate effective handling of requests in a farmed environment.
US07992196B2 Apparatus and method for performing hosted and secure identity authentication using biometric voice verification over a digital network medium
Apparatus, methods, and machine-readable articles of manufacture enable a means of performing vocal tract based authentication and vocal tract based enrollment via the Internet or similar computing network as a communication medium. A protocol and process is outlined which enables Internet or similar network based authentication among three parties; a party wishing to prove a claimed identity, a party requesting to authenticate the claimed identity, and a party performing the authentication or enrollment process. Further, the party requesting authentication is a separate entity from the party performing authentication or enrollment. In such an arrangement, the party performing the authentication or enrollment is termed “hosted” or “software as a service”. The protocol and process is suitable for execution by distinct software components installed and running on computers located at the location of each of the three parties.
US07992193B2 Method and apparatus to secure AAA protocol messages
A method and an apparatus are disclosed for securing authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) protocol messages. An encryption key, a device identifier value, and verification data are received and stored at a network device. The verification data comprises in part a copy the encryption key and the device identifier value, and has been encrypted using a private key of a server. A shared secret is generated by applying a computational function to the encryption key and the device identifier value. Based on the shared secret, a first message integrity check value for a message is generated. The message, the first integrity check value, and the verification data are sent to the server. The server decrypts the verification data using the private key, extracts the encryption key and the device identifier value, and generates the same shared secret by applying the same computational function to the extracted encryption key and device identifier value. Based on this generated shared secret, a second message integrity check value is generated and compared to the received first message integrity check value.
US07992184B2 Hardware module for adding functionality to television using mechanical and wireless links
A set-box (SBB) is advanced into a receptacle on the rear of a TV to add functionality to the TV. Digital video information is conveyed from the SBB to the TV using respective HDMI connectors on the SBB and TV that mechanically engage each other, whereas bi-directional control information is passed wirelessly between the SBB and TV.
US07992172B1 Method and systems for multicast using multiple transport streams
A system for delivering interactive program guide (IPG) includes a number of encoding units, at least one transport stream generator, and a session manager. The encoding units encode a number of IPG pages and generate a number of (e.g., guide, video, audio, and data) streams, with each stream being assigned a respective packet identifier (PID). Each transport stream generator receives and multiplexes selected ones of the streams from one or more encoding units into one or more transport streams. The session manager directs each transport stream generator to generate one or more transport streams based on usage. The system may further include a bandwidth manager that monitors usage and reports the usage to the session manager. The encoding units can be operated to encode only once each IPG page to be transmitted. Each transport stream generator can be operated to provide differentiated IPG for the neighborhood being served by the transport stream generator. The number of transport streams generated by each transport stream generator can be dynamically adjusted based on demands from the neighborhood being served by the transport stream generator. Each transport stream generator can be directed to generate an additional transport stream if usage exceeds the capacity of the currently transmitted transport streams.
US07992170B2 Apparatus for providing electronic program guide information in a digital multimedia broadcast receiving terminal and a method therefor
Disclosed is a method for providing Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information in a digital multimedia broadcast receiving terminal, which includes causing the digital multimedia broadcast receiving terminal to convert the EPG information of a broadcast channel previously stored into corresponding audio data delivered to a headset communicating with the digital multimedia broadcast receiving terminal, and causing the headset to output the audio data received, whereby the user may recognize the channel information by using only the wireless headset, without having to view the terminal.
US07992168B2 Dynamic zoning for targeted ad insertion
A custom ad selection and delivery system may include an ad selector to select candidate ads for one or more ad avail opportunities, a bandwidth resource manager to provide information about available bandwidth in a content delivery system, and a policy manager to weight ad avail opportunity versus bandwidth costs to delivery customized advertising to subscribers, and to cause allocation of bandwidth and insertion of customized ads into multiple program streams comprising the same program content but different ad content, and to cause different subscriber equipment to map different program frequencies to similar content streams having advertising content inserted therein that is customized to different subscriber demographics.
US07992165B1 Insertion of digital media
An example embodiment of the present invention provides a process for inserting a source media stream into a target media stream. The process opens and reads into memory structural information from a target media stream. The process then opens and reads into memory structural information from a source media stream. The process adjusts the structural information for both streams in order to effect the insertion of the source media stream into the target media stream. In the example embodiment, this adjustment avoids the use of temporary output storage. The process then writes onto an output media stream the adjusted structural information for the source and target media streams and then pipes onto the output media stream the media data for the source and target media streams. In particular embodiments, a container file format is used for the source media stream, target media stream, and output media stream.
US07992164B2 Digital broadcasting receiving device
A microcomputer 18 obtains a variable RRT from a broadcast signal and stores, in a recording medium, the variable RRT in association with a physical channel; sets a viewing restriction flag for an item in the variable RRT based on an operation input from a user; applies viewing restriction to the broadcast signal when rating information indicates the level at which the viewing restriction flag has been set in the variable RRT; and, when a logical channel is not associated with the selected physical channel, tunes, as an alternative channel, a physical channel with which a logical channel has been associated in the channel map of the other tuner, and associates a variable RRT associated with the alternative channel, with the selected physical channel.
US07992161B2 Method and apparatus for providing incentives for viewers to watch commercial advertisements
A user is prompted during television commercial breaks to depress one or more pushbuttons on a television remote control at certain times to confirm that the user is watching the advertisements. A set top box connected to the television receives and decodes the signal from the remote control. When the user responds properly to a prompt, the set top box increments a tally maintained in the set top box memory to accumulate points by which the user can earn rewards.
US07992156B1 Determining the address of a system call table to perform antivirus tasks in a computer
In one embodiment, an address of a system call table is determined by invoking a first system call from a user-level program running in user space. When the first system call executes, the first system call retrieves the address of the system call table from kernel stack, which that has been populated by the kernel with various data including the address of the system call table. Using the retrieved address to locate the system call table, the system call table is modified to allow interception of calls made to one or more system calls included in the system call table. This allows a scan module to scan data for computer viruses before a system call is allowed to execute and operate on the data, for example.
US07992138B2 Method and apparatus for executing different java methods
A method and apparatus for executing different Java methods are provided. The method of executing different Java methods, includes when a first method calls a second method, storing information for returning to the first method in a first stack frame, adding a second stack frame for the second method to a stack, and storing information for executing the second method in the second stack frame, wherein the first stack frame and the second stack frame are included in the same stack in a same format.
US07992136B2 Method and apparatus for automatic application profiling
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for profiling an application. Data is collected for analyzing performance of the application using a device driver for a profiler in an operating system kernel in response to the application executing in a virtual machine. Data is stored in a buffer. A report is generated containing the data from the buffer in response to an event in the virtual machine, wherein the application is profiled using the report. Collection of the data is halted in response to the application terminating execution in the virtual machine.
US07992134B2 Systems, methods and apparatus for modeling, specifying and deploying policies in autonomous and autonomic systems using agent-oriented software engineering
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments, an agent-oriented specification modeled with MaCMAS, is analyzed, flaws in the agent-oriented specification modeled with MaCMAS are corrected, and an implementation is derived from the corrected agent-oriented specification. Described herein are systems, method and apparatus that produce fully (mathematically) tractable development of agent-oriented specification(s) modeled with methodology fragment for analyzing complex multiagent systems (MaCMAS) and policies for autonomic systems from requirements through to code generation. The systems, method and apparatus described herein are illustrated through an example showing how user formulated policies can be translated into a formal mode which can then be converted to code. The requirements-based programming systems, method and apparatus described herein may provide faster, higher quality development and maintenance of autonomic systems based on user formulation of policies.
US07992128B2 Computer software adaptation method and system
A method is provided for creating and/or utilizing a computer software application. The method may include structuring the application into a first software layer and a second software layer and defining a plurality of data elements used by the application. The method may also include establishing the first software layer based on the data elements for processing the data elements and creating the second software layer including adaptation data to present the plurality of data elements modified by the adaptation data associated with the data elements. Further, the adaptation data may enable plural presentations of the data elements by the second software layer independently from the first software layer.
US07992118B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit and design method for semiconductor integrated circuit
The semiconductor integrated circuit of the invention includes: two first power supply lines placed in parallel in a same interconnect layer; a second power supply line placed between the two first power supply lines in the same interconnect layer; an actual operation flipflop connected to one of the two first power supply lines and the second power supply line and having a first clock terminal; and a dummy flipflop connected to the other first power supply line and the second power supply line and having a second clock terminal. The dummy flipflop includes: a contact connected to the other first power supply line or the second power supply line; and an interconnect for connecting the second clock terminal with the contact.
US07992099B2 Apparatus and method for providing graphic user interface composed of plural columns
An apparatus and method for providing a graphic user interface composed of a plurality of columns. The apparatus includes a command receiving unit, a determining unit, a display unit, and a transmitting/receiving unit. The command receiving unit receives a movement command or a selection command for a selector for selecting an item of at least one of the columns on the graphic user interface. The determining unit determines whether to activate items of the other columns associated with the selected item of a column. The display unit outputs the activated items of the other columns using the graphic user interface. The transmitting/receiving unit transmits a command message according to item selection with respect to the output activated columns.
US07992093B2 Method of programming a processing system
Various methods of programming a processing system utilizing a computer having a configuration canvas, at least one processor, and a plurality of function objects is disclosed. A processing configuration is created by placing object icons associated with function objects onto the canvas. Execution paths are automatically routed between the object icons based on orientations of icons on the canvas. Data flow paths are created between object icons on the canvas separately from the routings of the execution paths. Execution paths can be re-routed to increase the versatility of the processing system. Also, visual instruments and instrument icons can be utilized to further graphically illustrate and control the processing configuration.
US07992089B2 Visualization of meeting invitee status as a method of collaboration
A system, method, and computer program product provide visualization of anonymous information about overall meeting invitation status. An attribute is generated for display at an invitee device and the attribute in a displayed image represents a person's decision: accept, decline, or tentative. Each decision is displayed by different color, attribute shape and/or display orientation. For example, an individual acceptance will be displayed as a small red square in the display image. An individual decline will be displayed as a small green square in the display image. An individual tentative decision will be displayed as a small yellow square in the display image.
US07992087B1 Document mapped-object placement upon background change
Various embodiments illustrated and described herein provide one or more of systems, methods, and software operable to process multilayered documents including form fields. Some embodiments, are operable to process a new or modified background layer image to identify input fields, to match the identified fields with metadata in foreground layer data defining interactive input fields, and to modify the mappings of the input fields defined within the foreground layer of a page description language document as a function of identified input fields in the modified background layer image.
US07992080B2 Re-usable clauses
The present invention relates to the generation of customised documents using document templates and in particular to the generation of different types of customised documents including clauses or other portions of document content which are common to two or more types of customised document.
US07992077B2 Data slicer having an error correction device
A data slicer includes an error bit predictor, a DC level compensator, a co-channel detector, and an output device. The data slicer generates four bytes according to four slicing levels respectively. The four slicing levels are a DC level, a level generated by adding a predetermined offset to the DC level, a level generated by subtracting the predetermined offset from the DC level, and a compensated level generated by the DC level compensator. The co-channel detector determines if the compensated level has the co-channel interference. The output device generates an output byte according to indication signals generated by the co-channel detector and the error bit predictor and the parity check of the four bytes.
US07992075B2 Arrangements for encoding and decoding digital data
A method for encoding data is disclosed. The method can include receiving a first bit segment (K−1 bits) from a bit stream, storing the first bit segment, initializing an encoder with the first bit segment, start encoding and transmitting from the Kth bit to the end of the appended data stream, and appending the first bit segment (K−1 bits) to the end of the data stream. The disclose arrangements can be similar to tail-biting methods different in that the initial bits are utilized to initialize the encoded as opposed to the tail or last bit as provided by tailbiting methods.
US07992054B2 Automatic maintenance of a computing system in a steady state using correlation
An autonomic computing system is automatically maintained in a steady state. The system has a number of parameters, each of which has one or more threshold. The system may further have a number of influencers, adjustment of which affects values of the parameters. One or more of the parameters are determined as each reaching one of its threshold, and are referred to as to-be-affected parameters. Each to-be-affected parameter is identified and its thresholds identified. A correlation value may be determined between each influencer and each to-be-affected parameter, and/or between each to-be-affected parameter and each other to-be-affected parameter. The to-be-affected parameters are adjusted, based on the correlation values determined, so that the to-be-affected parameters return to more-normal values.
US07992048B2 Computer system and method for performing failure detecting processing for a logical path
Provided is a computer system including at least one host computer; and at least one storage system, characterized in that: the storage system has a disk drive and a disk controller, and provides a storage area of the disk drive as at least one logical unit; upon detecting a failure in a logical path serving as an access route from the host computer to the logical unit, the host computer specifies logical paths for accessing the same logical unit that is connected to the logical path where the failure is detected; the host computer executes failure detecting processing for the specified logical paths to judge whether the specified logical paths are normal or not; the host computer selects normal logical paths out of the specified logical paths; and the host computer accesses the logical unit via the normal logical paths selected.
US07992046B2 Test system with simulation control device for testing functions of electronic devices
A test system for testing various functions of electronic devices includes a master device and a simulation control device. The master device is connected to an input device and the electronic devices through the simulation control device. The master device records input signals of the input device and generate simulation signals according to the input signals. The simulation control device simulates the input signals of the input device according to the simulation signals to test the electronic devices.
US07992039B2 Failover and load balancing
Provided are techniques for static load balancing implemented in a filter driver. The filter driver determines a data quota for each of multiple data paths. The filter driver identifies a maximum number of commands for a target logical unit. The filter driver selects a data path on which to send a packet based on the data quota and the maximum number of commands. Also, provided are techniques for dynamic load balancing implemented in a filter driver. The filter driver determines a data transfer speed for each of multiple data paths. The filter driver updates a load balancing share for each of the multiple data paths based on the data transfer speed of each of the multiple data paths. The filter driver selects a data path on which to send a packet based on the load balancing share of each of the multiple data paths.
US07992034B2 Match server for a financial exchange having fault tolerant operation
Fault tolerant operation is disclosed for a primary match server of a financial exchange using an active copy-cat instance, a.k.a. backup match server, that mirrors operations in the primary match server, but only after those operations have successfully completed in the primary match server. Fault tolerant logic monitors inputs and outputs of the primary match server and gates those inputs to the backup match server once a given input has been processed. The outputs of the backup match server are then compared with the outputs of the primary match server to ensure correct operation. The disclosed embodiments further relate to fault tolerant failover mechanism allowing the backup match server to take over for the primary match server in a fault situation wherein the primary and backup match servers are loosely coupled, i.e. they need not be aware that they are operating in a fault tolerant environment. As such, the primary match server need not be specifically designed or programmed to interact with the fault tolerant mechanisms. Instead, the primary match server need only be designed to adhere to specific basic operating guidelines and shut itself down when it cannot do so. By externally controlling the ability of the primary match server to successfully adhere to its operating guidelines, the fault tolerant mechanisms of the disclosed embodiments can recognize error conditions and easily failover from the primary match server to the backup match server.
US07992030B2 Fall time accelerator circuit
Embodiments of the invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to digital signal transmissions and provide a novel and non-obvious fall time accelerator circuit for use in a USB interface. In one embodiment of the invention, the USB interface can include a USB port driver coupled to a host controller driver over a USB bus. The USB interface also can include a fall time accelerator circuit coupled to the USB bus between the USB port driver and the host controller driver. The fall time accelerator circuit can include a pulse signal generator coupled to an inbound signal path from the USB bus and arranged to generate a tunable pulse upon detecting a falling edge of a digital signal on the inbound signal path. The circuit further can include an active timer additionally coupled to the inbound signal path to hold the tunable pulse for a set period of time. Finally, the circuit can include a falling drive signal strengthener coupled to an outbound signal path from the pulse signal generator arranged to release the tunable pulse on the outbound signal path onto the USB bus.
US07992014B2 Administering power supplies in a data center
Administering power supplies in a data center including, upon connection of a first power supply through a power line to a circuit breaker in the data center, querying, by a power supply communications device of the first power supply through the power line, a circuit breaker communications device of the circuit breaker for a circuit breaker identification; querying, by the power supply communications device of the first power supply, for a maximum current threshold for the circuit breaker; sending the circuit breaker identification and the maximum current threshold for the circuit breaker to a management module; and determining, by the management module in dependence upon the circuit breaker identification and the maximum current threshold for the circuit breaker, whether to power on a computing device powered by the first power supply including determining whether the circuit breaker is shared by another power supply.
US07992011B2 Power management method for information platform
A power management method for an information platform, includes holding system configuration information indicating a correspondence between a logical system and a processing module constituting the logical system; holding power management information indicating a correspondence between information with which a type of the logical system can be specified, an operating condition of the logical system, and first power consumption for operating the logical system; selecting the processing module which constitutes the logical system specified by a configuration request by referring to the system configuration information when receiving the configuration request of the logical system; calculating the first power consumption for operating the logical system based on the type and the operating condition included in the configuration request, and the power management information; and determining second power consumption to be supplied to the processing module based on the calculated first power consumption and information on the processing modules.
US07991996B2 Architecture and design for central authentication and authorization in an on-demand utility environment
A Centralized Authentication & Authorization (CAA) system that facilitates secure communication between service clients and service providers. CAA comprises a Service Request Filter (SRF), a Service Client Authentication Program (SCAP), a Service Authorization Program (SAP), and an Authorization Database (ADB). The SRF intercepts service requests, extracts the service client's identifier from a digital certificate attached to the request, and stores the identifier in memory accessible to service providers. In the preferred embodiment, the SRF forwards the service request to a web service manager. The web service manager invokes SCAP. SCAP matches the identifier with a record stored in ADB. SAP queries ADB to determine if the service request is valid for the service client. If the service request is valid, SAP authorizes the service request and the appropriate service provider processes the service request.
US07991985B2 System and method for implementing and utilizing a zero overhead loop
Systems and methods for implementing a zero overhead loop in a microprocessor or microprocessor based system/chip are disclosed. The systems and methods include the use of a breakpoint mechanism, and modification of parameters at runtime, with the breakpoint mechanism being additionally used in debugging, in order to provide some of the looping functionality.
US07991978B2 Network on chip with low latency, high bandwidth application messaging interconnects that abstract hardware inter-thread data communications into an architected state of a processor
Data processing on a network on chip (‘NOC’) that includes integrated processor (‘IP’) blocks, each of a plurality of the IP blocks including at least one computer processor, each such computer processor implementing a plurality of hardware threads of execution; low latency, high bandwidth application messaging interconnects; memory communications controllers; network interface controllers; and routers; each of the IP blocks adapted to a router through a separate one of the low latency, high bandwidth application messaging interconnects, a separate one of the memory communications controllers, and a separate one of the network interface controllers; each application messaging interconnect abstracting into an architected state of each processor, for manipulation by computer programs executing on the processor, hardware inter-thread communications among the hardware threads of execution; each memory communications controller controlling communication between an IP block and memory; each network interface controller controlling inter-IP block communications through routers.
US07991973B2 Data storage systems, methods and networks having a snapshot efficient block map
A data storage system includes a storage device divided into a plurality of blocks for storing data for a plurality of volumes, and a processor to execute instructions for maintaining a block map corresponding to the data stored on the storage device. The storage system may be part of a storage system network. The block map stores reference data indicating which of the volumes reference which blocks on the storage device, and which blocks on the storage device are unallocated. The reference data may include, for groups of one or more blocks, a first value identifying the oldest volume in which the group of blocks was allocated and a second value identifying the newest volume in which the group of blocks was allocated. The volumes may include one or more snapshots.
US07991967B2 Using type stability to facilitate contention management
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing type stability techniques to enhance contention management. A reference counting mechanism is provided that enables transactions to safely examine states of other transactions. Contention management is facilitated using the reference counting mechanism. When a conflict is detected between two transactions, owning transaction information is obtained. A reference count of the owning transaction is incremented. The system ensures that the correct transaction was incremented. If the owning transaction is still a conflicting transaction, then a contention management decision is made to determine proper resolution. When the decision is made, the reference count on the owning transaction is decremented by the conflicting transaction. When each transaction completes, the reference counts it holds to itself is decremented. Data structures cannot be deallocated until their reference count is zero. Dedicated type-stable allocation pools can be reduced using an unstable attribute.
US07991962B2 System and method of using threads and thread-local storage
A system is provided that includes processing logic and a memory management module. The memory management module is configured to allocate a portion of memory space for a thread stack unit and to partition the thread stack unit to include a stack and a thread-local storage region. The stack is associated with a thread that is executable by the processing logic and the thread-local storage region is adapted to store data associated with the thread. The portion of memory space allocated for the thread stack unit is based on a size of the thread-local storage region that is determined when the thread is generated and a size of the stack.
US07991959B2 Visualizing contents and states of hierarchical storage systems
An information carrier medium containing software that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to receive information from circuit logic that is adapted to collect the information from caches on different cache levels. At least some of the information from the caches is associated with a common address. The processor also provides the information to a user of the software.
US07991957B2 Abuse detection using distributed cache
Abuse of a content-sharing service is detected by an arrangement in which an in-memory cache is distributed among a plurality of nodes, such as front-end web servers, and which caches each item accessed by users of the service as a single instance in the distributed cache. Associated with each cached item is a unit of metadata which functions as a counter that is automatically incremented each time the item is served from the distributed cache. Because abusive items often tend to become quickly popular for downloading, when the counter exceeds a predetermined threshold over a given time interval, it is indicative of an access rate that makes the item a candidate for being deemed abusive. A reference to the item and its access count are responsively written to a persistent store such as a log file or database.
US07991954B2 Memory module, memory system, and information device
A memory system including ROM and RAM in which reading and writing are enabled. A memory system includes a non-volatile memory (FLASH), DRAM, a control circuit, and an information processing device. Data in FLASH is transferred to SRAM or DRAM in advance. Data transfer between the non-volatile memory and the DRAM can be performed in the background. The memory system including these plural chips is configured as a memory system module in which each chip is mutually laminated and each chip is wired via a ball grid array (BGA) and bonding wire between the chips. Data in FLASH can be read at the similar speed to that of DRAM by securing a region in which the data in FLASH can be copied in DRAM and transferring the data to DRAM in advance immediately after power is turned on or by a load instruction.
US07991949B2 Embedded virtual media
A method and an optical storage medium are provided for storing data to and accessing data from an embedded virtual medium within the optical storage medium. Information describing the embedded virtual medium may be stored on to the optical storage medium. Space for an embedded lead-in area of the embedded virtual medium, as well as user data for the embedded virtual medium, may be allocated within a data zone of the optical medium. A spare sector bitmap may be included in a lead-an area of the optical medium indicating spare sectors within the embedded virtual medium as being unavailable. A spare sector bitmap may be included within the embedded virtual medium indicating available spare sectors of the embedded virtual medium. Physical sector/logical block mapping of the optical storage medium may be modified for accessing data stored on the embedded virtual medium.
US07991948B2 Optimizing execution of I/O requests for a disk drive in a computing system
Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for optimizing execution of Input/Output (‘I/O’) requests for a disk drive in a computing system that include: receiving I/O requests specifying disk blocks of the disk drive for access, each disk block specified by a disk drive head, a cylinder, and a sector of the disk drive; determining I/O sub-requests from the I/O requests, each I/O sub-request specifying a set of adjacent disk blocks along the same cylinder; determining execution sequences for performing the I/O sub-requests; calculating, for each execution sequence, a total estimated execution time for performing the I/O sub-requests according to that execution sequence; selecting one of the execution sequences for performing the I/O sub-requests in dependence upon the total estimated execution times for the execution sequences; and instructing a disk drive controller to perform the I/O requests by performing the I/O sub-requests according to the selected execution sequence.
US07991947B2 Multi-priority encoder
A multi-priority encoder includes a plurality of interconnected, single-priority encoders arranged in descending priority order. The multi-priority encoder includes circuitry for blocking a match output by a lower level single-priority encoder if a higher level single-priority encoder outputs a match output. Match data is received from a content addressable memory, and the priority encoder includes address encoding circuitry for outputting the address locations of each highest priority match line flagged by the highest priority indicator. Each single-priority encoder includes a highest priority indicator which has a plurality of indicator segments, each indicator segment being associated with a match line input.
US07991945B2 Semiconductor memory device and semiconductor device
A semiconductor memory device, including: a cell array block including a plurality of memory cells arranged therein; and a controller, wherein the controller controls the semiconductor memory device so that: an operation of reading out data from a second region in the cell array block is initiated before completion of an operation of outputting data read out from a first region in the cell array block; and the data read out from the second region is output successively after the completion of the operation of outputting data read out from the first region.
US07991943B2 Implementation of one time programmable memory with embedded flash memory in a system-on-chip
System and method for implementing one time programmable (OTP) memory using embedded flash memory. A system-on-chip (SoC) includes a cleared flash memory array that includes an OTP block, including an OTP write inhibit field that is initially deasserted, a flash memory controller, and a controller. Data are written to the OTP block, including setting the OTP write inhibit field to signify prohibition of subsequent writes to the OTP block. The SoC is power cycled, and, in response, at least a portion of the OTP block is latched in a volatile memory, including asserting an OTP write inhibit bit based on the OTP write inhibit field, after which the OTP block is not writeable. In response to each subsequent power cycling, the controller is held in reset, the latching is performed, the controller is released from reset, and the flash array, now write protected, is configured to be controlled by the controller.
US07991937B1 Network media access controller embedded in a programmable device—receive-side client interface
A receive-side client interface for a media access controller embedded in an integrated circuit having programmable circuitry is described. A media access controller core includes a receive engine. A receive-side datapath is coupled to the media access controller core. The receive-side datapath is configured to operate at two frequencies to accommodate the programmable circuitry in the integrated circuit.
US07991931B2 Data transport architecture
The present invention is a novel device, system, and method for data transport and bus architecture. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bus architecture may comprise of a continuous serial bus that may be incorporated into a process control sample system to provide an intrinsically safe and efficient system. An alternative exemplary embodiment, in an intrinsically safe control sampling system, a data transport device may be used to couple sampling controls and analyzers. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may contain an access controller providing a protocol bridge for an intrinsically safe control sampling system to couple sampling controls and analyzers.
US07991928B2 Retry mechanism
An interface unit may comprise a buffer configured to store requests that are to be transmitted on an interconnect and a control unit coupled to the buffer. In one embodiment, the control unit is coupled to receive a retry response from the interconnect during a response phase of a first transaction for a first request stored in the buffer. The control unit is configured to record an identifier supplied on the interconnect with the retry response that identifies a second transaction that is in progress on the interconnect. The control unit is configured to inhibit reinitiation of the first transaction at least until detecting a second transmission of the identifier. In another embodiment, the control unit is configured to assert a retry response during a response phase of a first transaction responsive to a snoop hit of the first transaction on a first request stored in the buffer for which a second transaction is in progress on the interconnect. The control unit is further configured to provide an identifier of the second transaction with the retry response.
US07991921B2 System and method for reducing power consumption of memory in an I/O controller
A memory system for an I/O controller which includes a memory with multiple memory blocks, a supply voltage control circuit providing power to each memory block, and control logic. Each memory block retains stored information with reduced power consumption when receiving a reduced voltage level. The control logic allocates buffers in the memory and controls the supply voltage control circuit to provide the full voltage level to at least one memory block of at least one allocated buffer and to provide the reduced voltage level to remaining memory blocks. Each memory block includes one or more buffers. In various embodiments the control logic fully powers each memory block of a buffer or less than all of the memory blocks. A linked buffer structure may be used to reduce the memory blocks of an allocated buffer receiving full power, such as only one memory block in the buffer.
US07991920B2 System and method for controlling information output devices
System and method for controlling the presentation of information, such as dynamically displayed text, includes a computer with a display device and one or more sets of electrode plates and capacitive field sensors arranged facing each other on a substantially flat and substantially stationary surface, such as a table top. The method includes forming capacitive fields between the electrodes and sensors by electrically charging the electrode plates. The sensors monitor for gestural movements made by a user's hands within the fields by detecting changes in voltage levels of the fields. In response to detected gestural movements, the computer adjusts the manner in which the information is presented in the display device, such as the display rate, information source, font size and contrast control.
US07991919B2 Device, method and system for detecting unwanted conversational media session
Some embodiments of the invention relate to a method and a system for detecting unwanted conversational media session data. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method of detecting unwanted conversation media session data according to some embodiments of the invention may include calculating two or more progressive similarity scores each with respect to a different instant during a progress of a real-time conversational media session, wherein each of said scores is associated with a similarity between the conversational media session's media data that was available at the associated instant and a reference data item corresponding to media data of a previous conversational media session, and evaluating progressive similarity between the real-time conversational media session and the reference data item based upon the two or more progressive similarity scores.
US07991917B1 High performance packet processing using a general purpose processor
A packet processing device includes a control logic processor for filtering packets according to a set of stored rules and an arithmetic logic processor for executing packet processing instructions based on the content of the packet. The control logic processor spawns a new thread for each incoming packet, relieving the arithmetic logic processor of the need to do so. The control logic processor and the arithmetic logic processor preferably are integrated via a thread queue. The control logic processor preferably assigns a policy to each incoming packet. A policy action table stores one or more policy instructions which may be easily changed to update policies to be implemented. The policy action table preferably maps a virtual packet flow identification code to the physical memory address of an action code and a state block associated to the identification code. The arithmetic logic processor processes a packet based on the stored policy assigned to that packet.
US07991915B2 Software platform for radio network
A pervasive computing system comprises a set of client devices and a network of small computing units, referred to as nodes. The client devices and nodes run programs that communicate with each other to solve a given problem, but the client devices and the nodes use different software execution environments and protocols. A host server acts as an intermediary between the client devices and the nodes, bridging the gap between the different software execution environments and protocols of the client devices and the nodes.
US07991912B2 Load balancing of server clusters
A load balancing scheme is described for a server cluster. An application identifier is received by the cluster from a client desiring to connect to the application. Each one of the servers in the cluster independently hashes the application identifier into a unique number. This unique number is used to determine a preferred one of the servers for the connection. The servers then each calculate a priority code using the unique number, a load level for each server, and/or a node identifier assigned to the servers in the cluster. If the preferred cluster server is available, it transmits its priority code to the client before the other servers transmit their priority codes. Otherwise, each of the available cluster servers transmits their priority codes to the client. The client selects the cluster server with the most favorable priority for making the connection.
US07991911B2 Duplicating switch for streaming data units to a terminal using different communication protocols
Streaming to a terminal by using a duplicating switch to receive a stream of data units, using the duplicating switch to store content from the stream, using the duplicating switch to generate a second stream that incorporates the content that was stored and address information corresponding to more than one terminal whose addressing information was not part of the first stream, and using the duplicating switch to make the second stream of data units available to two or more terminals.
US07991900B2 Image display device, storage device, image display system and network setup method
An image display system 20 includes a projector PR1, a computer PC1 and a USB memory U1 which can be connected in an ad-hoc mode by using a wireless LAN. When a user connects the USB memory U1 to a USB interface 75 of the projector PR1, the projector PR1 writes network setup information in a setup information storage area 144 of the USB memory U1. Then, when the user removes the USB memory U1 from the USB interface 75 and connects it to a USB interface 125 of the computer PC1, the computer PC1 performs network setup by referring to the network setup information and establishes connection to start projection by an automatic start program.
US07991899B2 Systems and methods for establishing rules for communication with a host
Systems and methods for establishing rules for communication with a host. Network activity data for communications between Host A and Host B may be collected and analyzed by a rules engine to create rules governing communications between the Host A and Host B. The rules may then be loaded in a first, centralized, database, where an activity analyzer engine may analyze trends in rule growth to determine if a gateway for Host A, which will control communications to and from Host A, is ready for deployment. Once it is determined that the gateway is ready for deployment, the rules may be replicated from the first, centralized database to a second, regional database associated with Host A. The gateway may then be enabled based on the rule data stored in the second, regional database so that the gateway can determine if communications between the Host A and Host B violate the rules. Post-deployment of the gateway, the rules may be continually updated based on changes to the network, etc., or based on input from network administrators. Embodiments of the present invention could be used, for example, to prevent test trade orders, used at a trading firm to test how order flow will be handled by new software, from reaching a trading exchange.
US07991894B2 Method and terminal device for transmitting and receiving attachment data
The invention relates to a method and a device for transmitting and receiving attachment data of extra attachments in session initiation messages of a session initiation protocol that is defined to initiate, maintain and terminate sessions with one or more terminals in a network. As the available space is limited for such attachments in a session initiation message the invention proposes to fragment the attachment data in attachment fragments and attach the attachment fragments to successive session initiation messages. Thereby the size of attachment data is increased considerably.
US07991890B2 Game console communication with a device
Communication between a game console having a communication port and a portable device is facilitated by determining that a portable device has been directly connected to the communication port, determining the protocol associated with the portable device, and communicating with the portable device using a driver associated with the determined protocol. An ancillary application may handle the communication between the game console and the portable device while a game or entertainment application executes concurrently on the game console. The game application may execute in a reserved predetermined amount of hardware resources of the game console while the ancillary application may execute concurrently using the remaining hardware resources.
US07991884B2 Method for processing data to check an interactive communication sequence and system thereof
The present invention relates to a data processing method and system for checking an interactive communication sequence (ICS) relating to a plurality of users in a communication record by using a variable time window, and checking an interactive communication sequence pattern (ICSP) that is a frequently generated interactive communication sequence from among the checked interactive communication sequences. The data processing method includes: (a) storing an inverse pair in a communication record in an interactive communication sequence set or a candidate set that is a set of inverse pairs that can be part of the interactive communication sequence; (b) generating an interactive communication sequence having a length other than 1 by combining interactive communication sequences included in the interactive communication sequence set; and (c) generating an interactive communication sequence having a length other than 1 by combining the inverse pair included in the candidate set and one of the interactive communication sequence included in the interactive communication sequence set of (a) and the interactive communication sequence generated in (b).
US07991882B1 Communications network with flow control
Systems and methods for implementing flow control in communication networks to maximize data transmission of, and prevent loss of data by, the communication networks. Data flow status is designed to reach each network device where the decision to prioritize and buffer data is made. Where there are devices that do not provide flow control, flow control is provided on their behalf. For example, where a satellite modem does not provide flow control, a flow control device is provided in front of the modem. The flow control device knows the data transfer characteristics of the modem, for example by receiving data transfer status information from the modem or by modem characteristic information loaded into the flow control device, and creates flow control on its behalf.
US07991875B2 Link level retry scheme
A link layer system is provided. The link layer system a first link layer control module and a retry queue for storing a transmitted data packet. The retry control module is coupled to the first link layer control module, which directs the retry queue to discard the transmitted data packet when an acknowledgment bit is received by the first link layer control module.
US07991869B2 Method for managing decisions, method for constructing a decision tree, central manager, intermediate manager, terminal and corresponding computer program products
A method is provided for managing decisions between a central manager and at least one terminal in an architecture of networks distributed and prioritized according to N levels, with N≧2. The central manager is included in a level of rank N. The terminal is included in a level of rank 1. The method includes a step of distributing a decision tree constructed by the central manager and supported by the architecture.
US07991862B2 Content purchasing and distributing method
The content reproducing apparatus (100) includes an acquiring unit (101), a requesting unit (102), and an accepting unit (103). The acquiring unit (101) acquires information concerning purchase target content. The requesting unit (102) makes a purchase request for the purchase target content acquired by the acquiring unit (101). The accepting unit (103) accepts the purchase target content distributed by the content distributing apparatus based on the purchase request by the requesting unit (102) from the content managing apparatus that manages the content reproducing apparatus (100).
US07991861B2 Method, device and system for configuring device parameters in digital subscriber line access network
A method for configuring device parameters in a Digital Subscriber Line access network is disclosed. According to the method, a managing device sends a parameter modifying command to a managed device; the managed device makes a response to the parameter modifying command and modifies parameters; the managed device obtains an applying opportunity of unapplied parameters; the managed device applies the unapplied parameters according to the applying opportunity. A Digital Subscriber Line access system and a network device are also disclosed.
US07991860B2 Method and apparatus for HBA migration
In one implementation, a system includes multiple SCSI nodes configured to perform a SCSI target function. Each of the multiple SCSI nodes includes a host bus adaptor configured to connect the SCSI node with a Fiber Channel fabric. The host bus adaptor being assigned a world wide name and a network address. The system further includes a host configured to perform a SCSI initiator function. The world wide name assigned to a source host bus adaptor associated with one SCSI node is relocated to a target host bus adaptor associated with another SCSI node. After that, the network address associated with the source host bus adaptor is relocated to the target host bus adaptor. In one implementation, the system determines whether or not a network address assigned to a source host bus adaptor associated with one of the multiple SCSI nodes is shared with at least one other service. If so, the system determined whether the shared network address can be relocated to a target host bus adaptor associated with another one of the multiple of SCSI nodes. If the latter determination is in affirmative, the world wide name and network address are relocated.
US07991858B2 Method and device for establishing a route
The embodiment of the present invention provides a method for establishing a route, which includes searching a target node by a node from a first level node group according to first level route information, returning to query a result or data saved by the target node if the target node is found, otherwise executing the following step; searching a target node by the node from a higher level node group according to higher level route information, returning to query a result or the data saved by the target node if the target node is found, otherwise repeating the step. Through the hierarchical communication system, most of the flows of daily service operations in the communication network are limited within a small region, thereby preventing from excessively occupying the band width of a backbone network being originally not wide enough.
US07991854B2 Dynamic session maintenance for mobile computing devices
A framework and method are disclosed for supporting changed addresses by mobile network nodes. Such support is provided through enhancements to the mobile network nodes and utilizes DNS servers, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and virtual private network (VPN) servers—or their functional equivalents—to dynamically assign a current network address to a mobile node, provide the current network address to an authoritative name server, and thereafter have correspondent nodes update their addresses for the mobile node based upon an address provided by the authoritative name server. A mobile node registers all of its name-to-address mappings with its authoritative DNS server using a time to live of zero. Furthermore, when a mobile node moves outside its home security domain, the mobile node initiates a virtual private network connection to a virtual private server for a security domain.
US07991850B2 Resilient system partition for personal internet communicator
The present invention provides a method and apparatus to restore the operating system of a personal internet communicator (PIC) to a “known good” operational state in the event of a catastrophic failure. In an embodiment of the invention, the hard drive of the personal internet communicator is organized in three partitions: 1) a partition for the operating system and related files; 2) a user data partition; and 3) a “restore” partition. The restore partition is hidden by modifying the type of partition that can be detected by the user or any operating system. Upon a catastrophic failure, the system can be returned to an operational state by performing a sector-by-sector restoration to copy an image of the operating system and related system files back to the operating system partition. In various embodiments of the invention, the PIC system state is continuously monitored by a “registry sniffing” routine that maintains a file containing data corresponding to the system state of the PIC. Subsequent to copying the operating system to the OS partition, as discussed above, the system state parameter file is used to modify the operating system to place the PIC in the configuration that existed prior to the catastrophic failure.
US07991848B2 Method and apparatus for sending instant message disposition notification request and response in a converged-IP messaging service and system thereof
A method is provided for sending an Instant Message Disposition Notification (IMDN) request to a receiving terminal by a sending terminal in a Converged-IP Messaging (CPM) service. The sending terminal generates an instant message to be sent to the receiving terminal, inserts an IMDN request message into the generated instant message, the IMDN request message including a predetermined response limit time, and sends the instant message with the IMDN request message to the receiving terminal through a CPM server.
US07991841B2 Trust-based recommendation systems
Systems and methods that analyze aggregated item evaluation behavior of users, to suggest a recommendation for the item. An analysis component forms a collective opinion by taking as input votes of users and trusted relationships established therebetween, to output an evaluation and/or recommendation for the item. Accordingly, within a linked structure of nodes, personalized recommendations to users (e.g., agents) are supplied about an item(s) based upon the opinions/reviews of other users, and in conjunction with the declared trust between the users.
US07991826B1 Digital relay having an improved man-machine interface
A digital relay, for regulating the operation of a power distribution apparatus, comprising a computerized interface, which includes at least a computerized module providing HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) services.
US07991815B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for parallel correlation and applications thereof
A fast correlator transform (FCT) algorithm and methods and systems for implementing same, correlate an encoded data word (X0-XM-1) with encoding coefficients (C0-CM-1), wherein each of (X0-XM-1) is represented by one or more bits and each said coefficient is represented by one or more bits, wherein each coefficient has k possible states, and wherein M is greater than 1. Substantially the same hardware can be utilized for processing in-phase and quadrature phase components of the data word (X0-XM-1). The coefficients (C0-CM-1) can represent real numbers and/or complex numbers. The coefficients (C0-CM-1) can be represented with a single bit or with multiple bits (e.g., magnitude). The coefficients (C0-CM-1) represent, for example, a cyclic code keying (“CCK”) code set substantially in accordance with IEEE 802.11 WLAN standard.
US07991809B2 System and method for managing zone integrity in a storage area network
A system and method for managing zone integrity in a storage area network (SAN) is provided. A SAN fabric may be partitioned into one or more zone sets, where each zone set may include a plurality of zones. A topology of any of the zones may be modified, without compromising zone integrity, by converting the zone into a topologically dynamic zone. The zone may be converted by redefining members of the zone in terms of their respective member definitions, which may be specific attributes used to identify the members in the fabric. As such, zone integrity may be preserved when a topology of any member of the converted zone is modified.
US07991804B2 Method, system, and apparatus for exposing workbooks as data sources
A method, system, and apparatus are provided for exposing and utilizing workbooks as server data sources. The system includes a client computer capable of executing a spreadsheet application program for creating a workbook including one or more worksheets. The workbook may be published to a server computer where the contents of the workbook are exposed as a multi-dimensional data source. The server computer allows client applications to discover and connect to the workbook as a multi-dimensional, data source, such as a cube.
US07991796B2 System and program for implementing scrollable cursors in a distributed database system
Provided are a system and program for accessing data in a distributed database environment. A client program receives multiple requests for data from a database object satisfying specified search predicates from an application program. Each request includes a request for at least one row from the table. The client program transfers a database command and a rowset parameter indicating a maximum number of rows to return to a server program over a network if the requested row is not maintained by the client program. A data block is generated with the server program including rows from the database object satisfying the search predicates in response to the database command. The rows included in the data block do not exceed the rowset parameter. The server program transfers the data block to the client program. In turn, the client program returns at least one requested row from the received data block in response to one request for the at least one row of data from the application program.
US07991791B1 System and method for redirecting access to a remote mirrored snapshot
In a system and method for updating a remote replicated destination file system snapshot with changes in a source file system snapshot, users and processes are redirected to a local exported snapshot of the replicated snapshot on the active file system on the destination before beginning the next update of the active file system's replicated snapshot. In this manner, an unstable replicated snapshot is not accessed. Indirection is introduced into inode lookup at the destination as the destination's active file system is being updated. The indirection can be based upon a snapshot ID that conforms to a latest exported snapshot ID.
US07991776B2 Résumé storage and retrieval system
A method of and apparatus for storage and retrieval of resumé images in a manner which preserves the appearance, organization, and information content of the original document. In addition, summaries or “outlines” of resumé images, broken down into multiple fields, are stored, and can be searched field by field. A user interface is provided which is based on a familiar paper-based method already in common use, thus reducing the training required to effectively use the system.
US07991762B1 Managing URLs
Crawling pages is disclosed. Pages are crawled up to a target number of pages. Additional pages, that have an importance that is equal to or greater than an importance threshold, are crawled beyond the target number of pages. In some embodiments, pages having an importance less than an importance threshold are deleted.
US07991756B2 Adding low-latency updateable metadata to a text index
Techniques are disclosed for allowing efficient updating of metadata and high performance searching through the use of a text index and a separate updateable metadata index. Generally, an updateable metadata index is used to store document metadata. A text index is used to store document text. Documents in the text index are stored in the same order as the corresponding metadata entries. Upon receiving a search query, a search engine decomposes the query into a metadata condition and a text condition. Search engine performs a parallel scan upon the metadata index and the text index. To increase performance, metadata entries are skipped over if the corresponding text entries do not match the text condition. During the scan, when a document in the metadata index matches a document in the text index, the document is stored in the search results. After the scan, search results are displayed.
US07991749B2 Database recovery method applying update journal and database log
A database recovery method including a computer and a storage system, in which: the storage system includes a disk drive for storing data; the disk drive includes a data volume, a snapshot volume, a database log for storing an update log, and an update journal for storing update information of the data volume; a recovery point for indicating an end point of a range to which the update journal is to be applied and a starting point of a range to which the database log is to be applied is recorded to recover the data volume; and when the database is to be recovered, the update journal is applied to the snapshot volume up to the recovery point, the snapshot volume after the update is switched to the data volume, and the database log after the recovery point is applied to the data volume that is set by switching.
US07991748B2 Virtual data store creation and use
A method, apparatus, and system for accessing units of storage that depends at least in part on an address of the unit of storage and the time that data was written to the unit of storage. A virtual data store can be created that reflects the state of an original data store at a specified time, where the specified time is selected, for example, from a substantially continuous time interval.
US07991743B2 User-definable run-time grouping of data records
In some embodiments, a method includes receiving input that includes a criteria for filtering a set of records to define a subset of records within the set of records. The criteria is defined by an end design user. The method includes updating a business class group with the criteria, wherein the business class group is associated with an action for access the subset of records through the business class group. The method includes outputting a business application to be executed by at least one end user to access the subset of records through the business class group.
US07991740B2 Synchronization server process
Among other things, techniques and systems are disclosed for providing sync server process. Processing data sync sessions includes processing a request to initiate a sync session from one or more clients to update one or more data records that include one or more data items. The one or more clients are selectively identified as one of a trusted client and an untrusted client based on one or more properties of the sync session, wherein the trusted client is configured to support all dataclasses defined by the server. The one or more clients are detected as being configured to support field level differencing that sends changed data items only for the one or data records or record level differencing that sends all of the data items included in the one or more data records.
US07991739B2 Real time backup system for computer users
This invention involves tracking and backing all the information that a user generates on its computer devices (including embedded devices) in real time. The local user server records all user actions and gestures (via various means that include TV cameras). All of this information (user actions and saved files in a computer) is then sent to a remote server via the Internet. This remote server has a virtual map of all the embedded devices on a computer that the person uses. The remote server immediately starts to interpret the user's actions (including user gestures). In one implementation, the invention stores user actions that are related to data generation (e.g. actions that called some links where data is stored, or executed some programs that generated data). In another variant the remote server generates and downloads the same files that are downloaded on the local user computer devices. For example, if a person begins to download a program, the server may also download the same program on a remote backup server. This way, if the user loses this program, it can be retrieved automatically through a provided server on the Internet. If user's files are backed up by regular backup periodically, relevant data that were stored by real time backup servers can be eliminated.
US07991733B2 Data structure, system and method for knowledge navigation and discovery
Data structures, systems, methods and computer program products that enable precise information retrieval and extraction, and thus facilitate relational and associative discovery are disclosed. The present invention utilizes a novel data structure termed a “Knowlet” which combines multiple attributes and values for relationships between concepts. While texts contain many re-iterations of factual statements, Knowlets record relationships between two concepts only once and the attributes and values of the relationships change based on multiple instances of factual statements, increasing co-occurrence or associations. The present invention's approach results in a minimal growth of the Knowlet space as compared to the text space and it thus useful where there is a vast data store, a relevant ontology/thesaurus, and a need for knowledge navigation and (relational, associative, and/or other) knowledge discovery.
US07991730B2 Methods for similarity searching of chemical reactions
A computer-based method for identifying at least one pair of similar chemical reactions between a plurality of reactions each related to preparation of at least one product from at least one reagent may include generating for each reaction a structural representation involving dynamic and conventional bonds and, based on the this structural representation, generating for each reaction a set of fragment descriptors of a predetermined length comprising the dynamical bonds and a corresponding descriptor vector. The method may further include calculating similarity indices between descriptor vectors of the plurality of reactions and comparing the similarity indices to identify at least one pair of similar reactions.
US07991722B1 Information request generator
A sensor manager comprising: a situation information expected value network and an information instantiator. The situation information expected value network includes a probabilistic network configured to generate situation probabilities using situation data; and an expected information gain determination module configured to generate an information request using expected changes in the situation probabilities. The information instantiator is configured to generate a sensor observation request utilizing the information request and the situation data. The situation data includes at least one of the following: a goal lattice structure data; a goal lattice value; a kinematic state estimate; a non-kinematic state estimate; a search probability mass function; a sensor applicable function table; or any combination of the above. The probabilistic network includes: at least one managed evidence node; at least one unmanaged evidence node; and at least one situation evidence node.
US07991721B2 Differential availability determination and notification
A method for determining differential availability, the method including identifying a current context of a first entity, and determining a current availability value of the first entity with respect to a second entity in accordance with an availability function, where the availability function is adaptive in accordance with an adaptation process to at least one past actual availability value of the fist entity with respect to the second entity in a previous context at least partially related to the current context, and where the availability function is operative to determine the current availability value as a function of the current context.
US07991719B2 Information processing method and apparatus, and image pickup device
An output value of neuron within an objective layer of a hierarchical neural network is computed. The data of the output value of neuron is stored in a memory only if the output value of neuron is greater than or equal to a predetermined value by referring to the computed output value of neuron within the objective layer. When the data of the output value of neuron on a former layer of objective layer is read from the memory, the data having a predetermined value is read, instead of the data of the output value of neuron not stored in the memory.
US07991706B2 Virtual mailing system
A virtual mailing system includes a virtual post office disposed in a virtual environment. A user in the virtual environment can request for the delivery of an electronic asset. A postage metering device, associated with the virtual post office, is operative to review the aspects of the delivery of the electronic asset and affix a postage amount. The postage metering device is also operative to process monetary funds relating to payment of postage for the virtual delivery of the electronic asset. The processing of monetary funds includes coordinating between virtual funds and real world funds so that virtual customers pay for delivery costs using virtual funds backed by real world currency. Through the virtual post office, electronic assets may then be virtually delivered to intended recipients within the virtual environment.
US07991705B2 Mail processing system for determining mail entity defects and correcting mail entity defects
A method for providing a mailer with detailed information regarding the mailer's preparation of mail entities and the post's processing of mail entities. The foregoing allows the mailer to improve subsequent preparation of mail entities to make it easier for the post to process and deliver mail in a timely manner. The invention also allows the post and the mailer to distinguish between mailer's processing defects and errors caused by faulty postal equipment.
US07991704B2 Method of post selection of and payment for domestic and international mail value added services
Methods and systems of providing tracking or other services for a mailpiece in a mail system having a service provider that is in communication with one or more posts. The mailpiece includes one or more unique identifiers associated therewith, and the service provider uses the unique identifiers to identify the mailpiece and cause or facilitate the rendering of the requested service. The service may be requested after the mailpiece has been mailed, and payment for the services need not be made until after they are performed. Also, a method of providing stored mailpiece information to an interested party based on request criteria that are provided by the interested party.
US07991689B1 Systems and methods for detecting bust out fraud using credit data
Systems and methods are for, for example, predicting bust out fraud using credit bureau data. In one embodiment, credit bureau scoring models are created using credit bureau data to detect bust out fraud. The credit bureau scoring models may be then applied to consumer data to determine whether a consumer is involved in bust out fraud.
US07991678B2 System and method for displaying market information and order placement in an electronic trading environment
A system and method are provided for displaying a trading screen and placing an order in an electronic trading environment. The system and method may be used to assist a trader in selecting an item of interest, such as the inside market (best bid and best ask) to be displayed relative to a user configured location on the trading screen, such as the center of the trading screen. In a preferred embodiment, the inside market will stay located relative to center of the trading screen and the price levels associated to the inside market will move as the market conditions fluctuate. Other features and advantages are described herein.
US07991669B2 Method and system for enterprise portfolio management based on component business model
An Enterprise Management Portfolio Hub allows a user to perform enterprise portfolio management activities from a single point of control. EPMH relates information, analysis, display and control based on the organizing concept of the business components that comprise the CBM map of the enterprise by collecting portfolio information from existing portfolio management tools and generating a portfolio model. It allows the user to interact with or access information from various Portfolio Management applications and services through the portfolio model. EPMH supports evaluative techniques that can be used to identify areas for business transformation and to generate transition plans.
US07991655B1 Method for object loading and object delivery using an object location identification trigger
A method for loading and delivering objects using at least one mobile processor in communication with a mobile data storage to provide at least one command to an operator is provided herein. The mobile processor can be in further communication with at least one input device. A host processor can provide the libraries and a list of objects to be loaded and delivered to the mobile processor. The host processor can be in communication with a host data storage that comprises computer instructions. An output device and an OLI trigger can also be used in conjunction with the mobile processor.
US07991650B2 System for obtaining recommendations from multiple recommenders
A personalization network service enables developers to develop recommenders that can be made available to content site operators for providing recommendations to end users. The personalization network service may also be capable of optimizing the use and selection of the recommenders for different end users, groups or segments of end users, content sites, and the like.
US07991649B2 Method for automatically preparing a plurality of client communications offering one or more financial products or services
A system for automatically preparing customized replies in response to communications from a plurality of clients. To facilitate automation and tracking, each original communication to the client (or each original response from the client) is tagged with a unique label, and replies to client responses are each correspondingly labeled. The system provides individualized replies to each of a variety of response options that a client might exercise in response to a received communication, whether an original communication or a reply to a previous response. The system is applicable to mass marketing communications, and is particularly well suited to the generation of personalized replies to each and every one of a multitude (tens of thousands and up to millions) of communications from clients. The system is also capable of continuing to generate replies to follow-up responses from clients and to thereby maintain an ongoing “conversation” until the client makes a purchase decision, or no longer responds. Communications may be delivered through a variety of means, such as the internet, the mails, by facsimile, on a host communication, etc.
US07991646B2 Systems and methods for marketplace listings using a camera enabled mobile device
Embodiments of computer-implemented systems and methods for marketplace listings using a camera enabled mobile device are described. One example embodiment comprises receiving a request via a camera enabled mobile device to list one or more sale items, receiving images having the one or more sale items, the images being taken by the camera enabled mobile device, receiving data associated with the one or more sale items, and based on the data, listing the one or more sale items on a marketplace.
US07991645B2 Multiparty computer-assisted haggling
The claimed subject matter relates to a computer-implemented architecture that can facilitate computer-assisted haggling and/or negotiation between multiple parties simultaneously. For example, various proxies associated with both buyers and sellers can be configured to negotiate with other proxies to buy or sell an item. The negotiations can be required to be progressive and during the negotiations a buyer or seller is, typically, allowed to withdraw his or her proposals. The architecture can include a registration component that can resolve concurrency and facilitate a registration of an agreement between two of the parties. The registration of an agreement can create a binding obligation between the parties after which other outstanding proposals can be terminated.
US07991644B2 Systems and methods for automated mass media commerce
Systems and methods for implementing point of advertising purchasing include using mass media publications configured for or containing service, product or vendor transmittable signals, such as from radio frequency identification tags. In a preferred arrangement, a consumer perceiving an advertisement of the mass media publication may activate a reader in a portable communications device, such as a smart mobile or cellular phone, to receive information from the radio frequency signal associated with the advertisement to identify a vendor, product or service associated with the radio frequency identification. The smart mobile phone or communications device of the consumer may communicate with a system of a vendor across a network to order a product or product information from a system of the vendor over the network by using the information from the radio frequency identification.
US07991642B2 Governing the serving of advertisements based on a cost target
Helping advertisers to control marketing expenditures by governing the delivery of an advertisement over a time period. Such governing may be accomplished by (a) determining an expected cost associated with delivering the advertisement, ungoverned, over the time period; and (b) governing the delivery of the advertisement based on the expected cost and a target cost. The delivery of the advertisement may be also governed based on time remaining in the time period, budget deficits from past periods, budget surpluses from past periods, a start date and an end date associated with the advertisement, time since a start date associated with the advertisement, and/or time until an end date associated with the advertisement. The target cost may be based on a predefined budget.
US07991640B2 Method and apparatus for evaluating visitors to a web server
Different web pages on a web server are associated with different qualification profiles, each of which is assigned a value by the web-site proprietor. Traffic data hits at the web-site are analyzed to determine which web pages the visitor viewed on the web server. Each qualifying visitor is thereafter associated with a qualification profile and a corresponding value. In another aspect of the invention, visitors arriving as a result of an advertisement on a remote web-site are tracked. The web-site proprietor is consequently able to determine a return on advertising investment based on the value of visitors brought to the site by the tracked advertisement.
US07991638B1 Process for trade area generation
Methods and computer-readable media having computer-usable instructions for evaluating and displaying trade information for a user. Customer addresses are received, and then a buffer area is created around each of the customer address. The buffer area for each address is combined to generate at least one aggregated area. The aggregated area is then disaggregated to define a polygon which is useful for generating a density map, indicating an ideal retail location for a new store, and determining which retail store to relocate or close.
US07991632B1 Method and system for allocation of resources in a project portfolio
Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for optimizing allocation of resources across projects in a project portfolio. The method includes receiving, at a computing device, (i) resource information, (ii) a portfolio of project definitions and (iii) one or more portfolio-level optimization criteria. The resource information representing a plurality of resources available for allocation to the projects, and each project definition includes a unique identifier and one or more project-level constraints. The method also includes generating, using the computing device, a plurality of project portfolio allocation scenarios and determining one or more optimized project portfolio allocation scenarios from the plurality of project portfolio allocation scenarios. Each project portfolio allocation scenario satisfies the one or more project-level constraints associated with each project definition. Each optimized project portfolio allocation scenario optimizes a sequence of the projects to satisfy the one or more portfolio-level optimization criteria.
US07991631B2 Managing a multi-supplier environment
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for managing multi-supplier environment. In some implementations, a method includes identifying a supplier model configured to identify information for executing different aspects of the transaction associated with different enterprise departments and a primary supplier from a plurality of selectable third-party suppliers in response to at least a request for a enterprise transaction. The model is configured to identify methodologies for executing the different aspects of a transaction. A plurality of requests for the different enterprise departments and the primary supplier are generated based, at least in part, on the supplier model and the transaction request. Each of the different enterprise departments and the primary supplier are associated with at least one of the plurality of requests. Each of the plurality of requests are automatically transmitted to at least one of the associated enterprise departments or the primary supplier in accordance with the supplier model.
US07991629B2 System and method for the assessment, pricing, and provisioning of distance-based vehicle insurance
A method of assessing, pricing, and provisioning distance-based vehicle insurance is disclosed. The method includes receiving a vehicle identification number of a vehicle to be insured from a customer, receiving an preliminary odometer reading of the vehicle to be insured from the customer, and obtaining from the customer a legally binding declaration that the preliminary odometer reading is true and accurate. The method includes insuring the vehicle during a policy period defined by coverage for a preselected number of units distance from the preliminary odometer reading.
US07991622B2 Audio compression and decompression using integer-reversible modulated lapped transforms
A “STAC Codec” provides lossless audio compression and decompression by processing an audio signal using integer-reversible modulated lapped transforms (MLT) to produce transform coefficients. Transform coefficients are then encoded using a backward-adaptive run-length Golomb-Rice (RLGR) encoder to produce losslessly compressed audio signals. In additional embodiments, further compression gains are achieved via an inter-block spectral estimation and data sorting strategy. Further, compression in the transform domain allows the bitstream to be partially decoded, using the corresponding RLGR decoder, to reconstruct the frequency-domain coefficients. These frequency-domain coefficients are then directly used to speed up various transform-domain based applications such as transcoding media to lossy or other formats, search, identification, visualization, watermarking, etc. In other embodiments, near-lossless compression is achieved by right-shifting transform coefficients by some number of bits such that quantization errors are not perceived as distortion in the decoded audio signal.
US07991621B2 Method and an apparatus for processing a signal
An apparatus for processing an encoded signal and method thereof are disclosed, by which an audio signal can be compressed and reconstructed in higher efficiency.An audio signal processing method includes the steps of identifying whether a type of an audio signal is a music using first type information, if the type of the audio signal is not the music signal, identifying whether the type of the audio signal is a speech signal or a mixed signal using second type information, and if the type of the audio signal is determined as either the speech signal or the mixed signal, reconstructing the audio signal according to a coding scheme applied per frame using coding identification information. If the type of the audio signal is the music signal, the first type information is received only. If the type of the audio signal is the speech signal or the mixed signal, both of the first type information and the second type information are received.Accordingly, various kinds of audio signals can be encoded/decoded in higher efficiency.
US07991611B2 Speech encoding apparatus and speech encoding method that encode speech signals in a scalable manner, and speech decoding apparatus and speech decoding method that decode scalable encoded signals
An audio encoding device for correcting a component having insufficient encoding capability in a core layer by an extended layer. A core layer encoder encodes an audio signal. An extended layer encoder encodes an encoding residual of the core layer encoder. A characteristic correction inverse filter arranged at a pre-stage of an LPC synthesis filter subjects the component having insufficient encoding capability in the core layer to an inverse characteristic correction process, and a characteristic correction filter arranged at a post-stage of the LPC synthesis filter performs a process for characteristic correction of the synthesis signal inputted from the LPC synthesis filter.
US07991609B2 Web-based proofing and usage guidance
A system is disclosed for checking grammar and usage using a flexible portfolio of different mechanisms, and automatically providing a variety of different examples of standard usage, selected from analogous Web content. The system can be used for checking the grammar and usage in any application that involves natural language text, such as word processing, email, and presentation applications. The grammar and usage can be evaluated using several complementary evaluation modules, which may include one based on a trained classifier, one based on regular expressions, and one based on comparative searches of the Web or a local corpus. The evaluation modules can provide a set of suggested alternative segments with corrected grammar and usage. A followup, screened Web search based on the alternative segments, in context, may provide several different in-context examples of proper grammar and usage that the user can consider and select from.
US07991604B2 Method and apparatus for indirectly simulating a semiconductor integrated circuit
A method and an apparatus for indirectly simulating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) are described. A circle chain is formed using input pins and output pins to provide an intellectual property (IP) core model that substitutes for a real IP core circuit. A test bench for the IP core model is generated, the semiconductor IC that includes the IP core model is integrated using the generated test bench, and the semiconductor IC is simulated.
US07991597B2 Apparatus and method for creating scaled, three-dimensional model of hydraulic system to perform calculations
A software application implementable on a computer system is used to create a model of a hydraulic system to perform calculations. The user visually constructs a two-dimensional (2-D) connectivity model in the computer system. The 2-D connectivity model has a plurality of node points defined at various elements (sources, outlets, equipment, and junctions) of the hydraulic system and has segments interconnecting the node points. The user visually constructs a three-dimensional (3-D) segment model for each segment so that each segment model has the 3-D layout of the piping and the fittings for the segment. A 3-D system model of the entire hydraulic system is visually created in the computer system by combining the 3-D segment models. The software application performs calculations using the 3-D system model, and the 3-D system model can be visually or automatically verified to determine whether the model substantially corresponds to the 3-D layout of the hydraulic system, and has been laid out without errors.
US07991595B2 Adaptive refinement tools for tetrahedral unstructured grids
An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes software which is robust, efficient, and has a very fast run time for user directed grid enrichment and flow solution adaptive grid refinement. All user selectable options (e.g., the choice of functions, the choice of thresholds, etc.), other than a pre-marked cell list, can be entered on the command line. The ease of application is an asset for flow physics research and preliminary design CFD analysis where fast grid modification is often needed to deal with unanticipated development of flow details.
US07991593B2 Optimisation of sequential combinatorial process
A method of optimising a sequential combinatorial process comprising an interchangeable sequence of events uses a master model to model a selection of the possible sequences. Information derived from the master model is used in a surrogate model that approximates the master model. The surrogate model calculates all possible sequences using an algorithm to select information calculated by the master model that most closely matches the events of a present sequence, following a prioritised system so that the best match is used wherever possible. All results from the surrogate model are compared to identify the modelled sequence that gives results closest to a desired optimum result.
US07991592B2 System and method for evaluating equipment rack cooling performance
Aspects of the invention are directed to systems and methods for designing and analyzing data centers. One aspect is directed to a method of determining cooling characteristics of a data center. The method includes receiving data related to a configuration of equipment in the data center, identifying rack clusters in the configuration of equipment, and determining a capture index for at least one equipment rack of at least one rack cluster.
US07991586B2 Device for transmitting measured values
A device for transmitting measured values having a sensor module including miniaturized components and an evaluation unit, in which the sensor module has connections for different sensors, one or more sensors are connected to the sensor module, and the sensor detect operating states of a centrifugal pump arrangement including a pump and a drive motor as measured values. The sensor module is connected to a power supply and processes the measured values. Sensors that are connected to the sensor module are identified. The sensor module is constructed as a signal transmitter with a standardized output signal, an integrated evaluation unit, which has a microcomputer, and a display. The evaluation unit processes the measured values from the sensors and displays measured values and/or calculated variables on the display.
US07991584B2 System and method for testing a fan interface of a motherboard
A system for testing a fan interface on a motherboard is provided. A fan simulator receives a PWM signal from a fan interface of the motherboard, converts the PWM signal to a TACH signal and outputs the TACH signal to a computer via a fan connector. A difference between the actual rotation speed from the TACH signal and a preset desired rotation speed of the fan simulator is determined and analyzed by comparing the difference with a preset allowable error margin.
US07991573B2 Integrated circuit including calibration circuit
One embodiment provides an integrated circuit including a first circuit, a second circuit, and a third circuit. The first circuit is configured to provide a calibrated signal. The second circuit is configured to low pass filter the calibrated signal and provide a filtered calibrated signal. The third circuit is configured to provide a control signal and store the control signal based on the filtered calibrated signal. The third circuit averages stored controlled signals to provide a calibration result.
US07991557B2 Computer system and methods for constructing biological classifiers and uses thereof
The present invention provides systems and method for constructing classifiers that distinguish between trait subgroups using molecular marker data from blood samples. The invention further encompasses the use of the classifiers and combinations of molecular markers identified by the classifiers in a wide variety of applications including: diagnosis; prognosis; prediction of disease, stage of disease or disease risk; monitoring disease progression and/or regression; monitoring disease reoccurrence and identifying risk of disease reoccurrence; determining and/or predicting response to treatment and/or treatment outcomes; monitoring and/or predicting treatment compliance or non compliance and the like. The invention further provides a variety of selected molecular markers and a means to identify combinations of the selected molecular markers useful for diagnosing particular traits of interest.
US07991553B2 Method and system for removing effects of conductive casings and wellbore and surface heterogeneity in electromagnetic imaging surveys
Characterizing a reservoir with electromagnetic imaging surveys includes normalizing measured voltage data by transmitter moment, sorting the normalized voltage data into common receiver profiles, densely resampling transmitter locations using common positions for the receiver profiles, coarsely resampling the data at discreet transmitter locations, defining a starting model for inversion, weighting the data by a factor, converting the normalized voltage data to ratios, calculating a conductivity image using a ratio inversion method, and verifying that an inversion has converged and the image is geologically reasonable. The image can then be displayed. The invention can be used for cross-well, surface-to-borehole, borehole-to-surface, and single-well (borehole-to-borehole) measurements measurements by which the effects of steel casing are reduced.
US07991539B2 Engine controller
An electronic control unit 50 determines whether the ambient air in the vicinity of an oxygen concentration sensor 55 in an exhaust passage 30 has become equal to the atmospheric state as a fuel cut-off operation is executed. If the ambient air in the vicinity of the oxygen concentration sensor 55 is equal to the atmospheric state, the electronic control unit 50 executes a learning process, in which a detection value C of the oxygen concentration sensor 55 is stored as a learned value Cstd in a memory 56. The electronic control unit 50 continues the learning process until a predetermined time period set based on an exhaust gas transport delay elapses from when the fuel cut-off operation is terminated.
US07991538B2 Method for operating a fuel system
In a fuel system of an internal combustion engine, the fuel quantity injected into a combustion chamber is a function of an activation period, during which a fuel injection device is activated. A pressure sensor detects the pressure in the fuel rail and provides a signal. The pressure in the fuel rail may be regulated to a setpoint pressure using a setting unit and employing the signal provided by the pressure sensor. The following method is provided for testing the fuel system: (a) establishing a test fuel quantity to be injected; (b) operating the internal combustion engine using a first setpoint pressure and a first activation period corresponding thereto and to the test fuel quantity to be injected; (c) detecting a speed- or torque-dependent variable characterizing the operating state; (d) operating the internal combustion engine using a second setpoint pressure and a second activation period corresponding thereto and to the test fuel quantity to be injected; (e) detecting a speed- or torque-dependent variable characterizing the operating state; (f) implementing an action if the variables detected in (c) and (e) differ by more than a limit value.
US07991530B2 System and method for classifying vehicle occupant
A system and method for classifying a vehicle occupant is disclosed. A base is installed in each of leg frames of a seat of a vehicle. A cover is installed above the base to be spaced apart from the base. Two weight sensors are installed between the base and the cover to support the cover, and configured to measure a load transmitted to the cover by the weight of a vehicle occupant sitting in the seat. A control unit receives load values measured by the weight sensors, and determines whether the vehicle occupant sitting in the seat is an adult or a child based on the received load values. A shock absorption member is interposed between the weight sensors and the base. A stopper is interposed between the base and the cover in order to limit a downward movement range of the cover in a case of overload.
US07991525B2 In-vehicle alert of cloud point in engine diesel fuel
The disclosure relates to a method for receiving in-vehicle information regarding diesel fuel cloud point condition. The method includes establishing communication between a telematics unit in a vehicle and i) a global positioning system device, ii) a call center including a database, and iii) a cloud point monitoring device in the vehicle. The telematics unit receives from at least one of i, ii, or iii, information pertaining to vehicle location, cloud point, and ambient temperature. The telematics unit determines from the information whether fuel in a fuel system of the vehicle is reaching cloud point or can reach cloud point within a given time period. The telematics unit then transmits an in-vehicle alert when the fuel in the vehicle fuel system is reaching cloud point or can reach cloud point within a given time period. The disclosure also relates to a system for performing the method.
US07991524B2 Temperature sensor diagnostics
A temperature sensor diagnostic system for a vehicle comprises a deviation calculation module, a limits determination module, and a fault diagnostic module. The deviation calculation module calculates a deviation coefficient based on a time constant of a temperature sensor and a period between first and second temperatures measured by the temperature sensor, wherein the second temperature is measured after the first temperature. The limits determination module determines upper and lower temperature limits based on the first temperature and the deviation coefficient. The fault diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in the temperature sensor when the second temperature is one of greater than the upper temperature limit and less than the lower temperature limit.
US07991515B2 Computer cooling system with preferential cooling device selection
A method for cooling an electronic component includes: providing an electronic component and a cooling device to cool the electronic component; determining the heat generating ability of the electronic component; and driving operation of the cooling device to cool the electronic component based on the heat generating ability of the electronic component. An apparatus and/or an electronics cooling device are provided based on the method.
US07991508B2 Gait generating system and control device of legged mobile robot
A gait generating system of a legged mobile robot is provided with a device for determining a desired trajectory of an external force to be applied to a robot 1, a device for determining a parameter of a desired gait (current time gait) for a predetermined period on the basis of a desired trajectory of an external force or the like, a device for determining a parameter of a virtual cyclic gait that follows the current time gait on the basis of the desired trajectory of the external force or the like, a device for correcting the current time gait parameter such that a body motion trajectory of the robot 1 of the current time gait converges to a body motion trajectory of the cyclic gait, and a device for sequentially determining an instantaneous value of the current time gait on the basis of the corrected current time gait parameter. With this arrangement, in an environment wherein an external force acts on a robot as necessary, a desired gait that allows continual stability of the robot to be secured can be generated even if the external force suddenly changes.
US07991506B2 Automated order-picking system having an integrated sorting function and method for operating the system
An automated order-picking system for conveying article units towards a workstation, including at least one storage rack having a plurality of storage locations for receiving load supports, on which or in which article units are stored, preferably by one sort only, wherein the storage rack is divided into rack regions, wherein each of the rack region comprises a plurality of rack planes which respectively comprise a plurality of storage locations being arranged side-by-side, one endlessly rotating central conveyor, particularly a conveyor belt, being arranged along a longitudinal side of the storage rack and preferably between two storage racks, and which is divided into a plurality of windows, a number of vertical elevators being arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal side of the storage rack, and which respectively comprise one load suspension device for receiving and delivering of at least one of the storage units.
US07991502B2 Tool compensation system and method for adjusting parameters of a tool
A tool compensation system for adjusting parameters of a tool includes a controller and a selecting module. The controller includes a storing module, an invoking module, and a compensation module. The storing module is configured for storing serial numbers and data tables of a first and a second tools. Each data table of the first and second tools includes a plurality of first dimensional parameters and a plurality of second dimensional parameters. The selecting module is capable of selecting a tool for machining by selecting the serial number of the tool. The invoking module is configured for invoking the second dimensional parameters according to the first dimensional parameters of a tool selected by the selecting module. The compensation module is configured for adjusting machining parameters of the selected tool according to the second dimensional parameters.
US07991497B2 Method and system for defect detection in manufacturing integrated circuits
Method and system for defect detection in manufacturing integrated circuits. In an embodiment, the invention provides a method for identifying one or more sources for possible causing manufacturing detects in integrated circuits. The method includes a step for providing a plurality of semiconductor substrates. The method includes a step for processing the plurality of semiconductor substrates in a plurality of processing steps using a plurality of processing tools. The method additionally includes a step for providing a database, which includes data associated with the processing of the plurality of semiconductor substrates. The method further includes a step for testing the plurality of semiconductor wafers after the processing of the plurality of semiconductor substrates. Additionally, the method includes a step for detecting at least one defect characteristic associated with the plurality of the semiconductor substrates that have been processed. Moreover, the method includes a step for identifying a set of processing steps. For example, the set of processing step are possibly associated with the defect characteristic.
US07991479B2 Neurostimulator programmer with clothing attachable antenna
In general, the invention is directed to a patient programmer for an implantable medical device. The patient programmer may include one or more of a variety of features that may enhance performance, support mobility and compactness, or promote patient convenience.
US07991476B2 Method and device for enhanced blood flow
A non-invasive method and device for promoting a localized change in a flow of blood through a limb segment by a series of electrically stimulated contractions of muscle tissue, the method including: (a) providing a device including: (i) at least a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode, each of the electrodes for operatively contacting the limb segment of the body; (ii) a signal generator, operatively connected to each electrode, for producing a series of electrical impulses to the limb segment via the electrodes, and (iii) a control unit, associated with the signal generator, for controlling the signal generator so as to produce the series of electrical stimulation impulses; (b) positioning the plurality of electrodes on the limb segment; (c) applying electrical impulses to induce a substantially radial contraction of a first portion of the muscular tissue in the limb segment; (d) applying electrical impulses to induce a substantially longitudinal contraction of a second portion of the muscular tissue in the limb segment, such that the muscular tissue acts upon the blood vessel to produce the localized change in the flow of blood.
US07991474B2 Methods and apparatus for testing disruption of a vagal nerve
Method and apparatus for disrupting a gastric vagal nerve in the gastroesophageal region and testing the function and disruption of the vagal nerve. In one example embodiment, a treatment device applies ultrasound at a high energy level, such as high intensity focused ultrasound, to a vagal nerve to disrupt it and then ultrasound at a lower energy level to another portion of the vagal nerve, preferably further from the stomach, so as to stimulate the vagal nerve. Alternative ways to test the function or disruption of the vagal nerve involve using PCP-GABA, a pancreatic polypeptide, pressure changes inside the stomach, the gastric mucusol pH, a dye agent in the stomach, and other tests.
US07991473B2 System and method for graphically configuring leads
Systems and methods are provided for graphically configuring leads for a medical device. According to one aspect, the system generally comprises a medical device and a processing device, such as a programmer or computer, adapted to be in communication with the medical device. The medical device has at least one lead with at least one electrode in a configuration that can be changed using the processing device. The processing device provides a graphical display of the configuration, including a representative image of a proposed electrical signal to be applied by the medical device between the at least one electrode of the medical device and at least one other electrode before the medical device applies the electrical signal between the at least one electrode and the at least one other electrode. In one embodiment, the graphical display graphically represents the lead(s), the electrode(s), a pulse polarity, and a vector.
US07991472B2 Systems and methods for diagnosing an implantable device
A method for diagnosing an implantable cardiac device including a plurality of implanted leads may include: monitoring a plurality of parameters associated with the plurality of implanted leads; detecting a change in one of the parameters; evaluating at least one of the other parameters upon detection of the change; and diagnosing a problem with the implantable cardiac device based on the detected change and the evaluation. A system for diagnosing an implantable cardiac device including a plurality of implanted leads may include an implantable pacing device and a processor. The processor may be configured to: monitor a plurality of parameters associated with the plurality of implanted leads; detect a change in one of the parameters; evaluating at least one of the other parameters upon detection of the change; and diagnose a problem with the implantable cardiac device based on the detected change and the evaluation.
US07991469B2 Pacing therapy for extending atrial refractory period
A device and method are presented for prolonging the atrial effective refractory period with pacing therapy. Such refractory period prolongation renders the atrial tissue less susceptible to the onset of atrial fibrillation. A particularly useful application is during the period after application of electrical therapy to the atria to terminate an episode of atrial fibrillation.
US07991463B2 Electromyography system
Systems for determining structural integrity of a bone within the spine of a patient, the bone having a first aspect and a second aspect, wherein the second aspect separated from the first aspect by a width and located adjacent to a spinal nerve. A stimulator is configured to generate an electrical stimulus to be applied to the first aspect of the bone. A monitor is configured to electrically monitor a muscle myotome associated with the spinal nerve to detect if an onset neuro-muscular response occurs in response to the application of the electrical stimulus to the first aspect of the bone. An adjuster is configured to automatically increase the magnitude of the electrical stimulus to until the onset neuro-muscular response is detected. Lastly, a communicator is configured to communicate to a user via at least one of visual and audible means information representing the magnitude of the electrical stimulus which caused the onset neuro-muscular response.
US07991462B2 Method and apparatus for monitoring a sedated patient
A method and an apparatus for monitoring a sedated patient, the method comprising the steps of providing a skin conductance signal measured at an area of the patient's skin through a time interval, establishing the existence of at least two fluctuation peaks in the skin conductance signal through said time interval, considering if the amplitudes of fluctuation peaks in the skin conductance signal through said interval, the basal level of the skin conductance signal through said interval and the width of the fluctuation peaks in the skin conductance signal fulfils a predetermined criterion, activating a first output signal which indicates the state of awakening in the patient if said criterion is fulfilled, and activating a second output signal which indicates the state of pain in the patient if said criterion is not fulfilled.
US07991457B2 Discrimination of supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia events
A method and system for discrimination of supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia events. Morphological features points are extracted from normal sinus rhythm (NSR) complexes and used to generate a NSR template. A numerical convolution is performed using the NSR template and the feature points for each sensed NSR to give a NSR filter output. Using a plurality of NSR complexes, a median NSR filter output template is determined, where the median NSR filter output template has a median value for each value in the NSR filter output. The median NSR filter output template is then used during a tachycardia event to distinguish tachycardia events as either ventricular tachycardia events or supraventricular tachycardia events.
US07991452B2 Contrast enhanced MRA with highly constrained backprojection reconstruction using phase contrast composite image
Mask projection views are obtained prior to the arrival of a contrast agent during a dynamic contrast enhanced MRA study. After the arrival of the contrast agent, a set of undersampled contrast enhanced projection views are obtained for each of a plurality of time frames. Corresponding mask projection views are subtracted from the contrast enhanced projection views to provide sparse contrast enhanced projection view sets. A phase contrast scan of a region of interest is performed prior to or after the arrival of the contrast agent. The phase contrast image is used as a composite image in a HYPR reconstruction of the sparse projection view sets to produce first pass contrast enhanced images. Iterative HYPR reconstructions can also be performed to remove venous information from the reconstructed images.
US07991449B2 Imaging elastic properties of the lung with magnetic resonance elastography
A noble gas is administered to a subject to fill the lungs and magnetic resonance elastography image data is acquired while vibrations are applied to the chest wall. Shear waves are established in the gas-filled lungs by the vibrations and a shear modulus image is reconstructed from the MRE image data that may be used in the diagnosis of lung disease.
US07991441B2 Swing hinge device of a portable terminal and dual hinge device having the same
A swing hinge device of a portable terminal that can move in a straight line or a curved direction when a folder rotates is provided. The portable terminal includes a body housing, a display unit, a folder rotating about first and second hinge axes on the body housing, and a connection member rotatively connecting the folder with the body housing. The swing hinge device includes a base member coupled to the connection member; a rotation member coupled to the folder; first and second guide pins; a first guide member coupled to the first guide pin, for guiding the straight movement of the first guide pin when the rotation member rotates about the second hinge axis; and a second guide member, coupled to the second guide pin, for guiding the curved movement of the second guide pin when the rotation member rotates about the second hinge axis.
US07991436B2 Method and apparatus for power saving in wireless systems
A method is provided for carrying out a power saving procedure in a wireless subscriber terminal which is operative to receive at least two different services, each of which is characterized by one or more characteristics related to traffic demands associated with that service. The method comprises the following steps: classifying each of the at least two different services based on their traffic demand related characteristics into corresponding power saving classes, where there are at least two different power saving classes associated with the at least two different services; for each of the power saving classes, determining required listening windows and required sleep windows; exchanging messages between the base station and the subscriber's device for synchronizing parameters for carrying out the power saving procedure.
US07991435B2 Method and apparatus for setting screen in mobile terminal
A mobile communication terminal includes a display unit for displaying an image for screen setting; a screen setting information storage unit storing screen setting information; a key input unit receiving a type of screen for the screen setting and selection information of user for an image edit command; a controller displaying a preview domain identical with the selected screen in type and size based on the selection information of the user for the type of the screen, and controlling an image edit in the preview domain based on the selection information of the user for the image edit command; and an image processor changing indication information of the display unit by control of the controller.
US07991432B2 Method of printing a voucher based on geographical location
A method of using a mobile device to print onto a print medium, the mobile device comprising: a wireless transceiver for sending and receiving data via a telecommunications network; and a printer; the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining a geographical location of the mobile device; (b) determining a product or service available at, in or within a predetermined distance of, the geographical location; (c) formatting a voucher containing information associated with the product or service; and (d) printing the voucher using the printer.
US07991429B2 Communication system equipped with shared antenna and circuit board thereof
A communication system equipped with a shared antenna includes an antenna, a first communication module, a second communication module, and a switch module. The first communication module processes a first communication signal and transmits the first communication signal to the switch module. The second communication module processes a second communication signal and transmits the second communication signal to the switch module. Additionally, the first communication module controls the switch module to transmit the first communication signal or the second communication signal to the antenna, and the antenna emits the first communication signal or the second communication signal.
US07991424B2 Dynamic generation of group lists for a communication device using tags
Systems and methods are described for dynamically generating one or more group lists as a sub-group of the contact list by assigning tags to contacts in a contact list. A user may define one or more tags for contacts in the contact list to generate a tag list in addition to the contact list. The tags indicate additional attributes of the contact that cannot be included in the contact list. To dynamically generate the group list, the user enters list criteria, and the tag list is searched to identify which of the contacts in the contact list has tags that match the list criteria. The contacts having tags that match the list criteria are combined into a group list which the user may then access to initiate communication with those contacts, or store for later use.
US07991420B2 Dynamic RS coverage in multi-hop cellular networks
For use in a wireless network, a controller for relay stations. The relay station increases cell coverage and user data rates while employing power consumption saving techniques. The relay station compares a threshold power setting with a current power setting. If the threshold power setting is greater than the current power setting, the relay station increments the threshold power setting and decreases the cell coverage. If the threshold power setting is less than or equal to the current power setting, the relay station decreases the threshold power setting until the threshold power setting is equal to a total power setting of the relay station. The relay station also employs load balancing techniques by comparing a threshold power setting with a current load setting. If the threshold power setting is greater than the current load setting, the relay station increases the cell coverage based on the available bandwidth.
US07991417B2 Methods and apparatus for push to talk type service
A method for use in a push to talk type service in which a floor is required before a client terminal may distribute a media item to at least one other terminal participating with the client terminal in a push to talk type session. According to the invention, the floor is managed depending upon information relating to the size of the media item, and may be managed depending upon other criteria as well. Managing the floor may include one or more of granting the floor, maintaining the floor, monitoring the floor, and releasing the floor. The floor may be denied, for example, if the media item is larger than a predetermined size, which size may be indicated as being within a range of sizes. The push to talk type service may be a general conferencing service.
US07991415B2 Transmission rate control method, radio base station and radio network controller
The present invention provides a transmission rate control method for controlling the transmission rate of uplink user data, including the step of; a radio network controller notifies to a radio base station and a mobile station an effective period of an absolute transmission rate control channel, when a call is established or when a serving cell is changed; a radio base station determines whether or not to transmit the absolute transmission rate control channel to each of mobile stations which is performing a communication with the radio base station; and each of the mobile stations determines the transmission rate of the uplink user data, based on a maximum allowable transmission rate mapped to the absolute transmission rate control channel notified by the radio base station.
US07991405B2 Method and system for determining the altitude of a mobile wireless device
A method and system for determining the three-dimensional location of a mobile wireless device. In one implementation, the device is a cellular telephone making a 911 call from one floor of a multi-story building. An embodiment of the method of the invention includes establishing a database that associates transmission metrics with altitudes of x-y coordinate locations having more than one altitude at which the mobile wireless device could be located, receiving a communication from the mobile wireless device, determining an x-y coordinate location of the mobile wireless device, measuring a transmission metric of the mobile wireless device, and consulting the database to determine the altitude from the x-y coordinate location and the measured transmission metric. The transmission metric could be, for example, the transmission time or angle of arrival of a wireless signal received from the mobile wireless device.
US07991398B2 Arrangements and method for handling macro diversity in a universal mobile telecommunications system
The present invention relates to methods and arrangements for providing macro diversity, also referred to as diversity handover, DHO, related instructions to a node, e.g. a Node B, that is a part of a DHO connection in a mobile telecommunication network wherein the macro diversity functionality is distributed to a Radio Network Controller, RNC, and its connected Node Bs in said network. The method comprises the steps of: including in a signaling message one or more transport layer addresses and one or more transport bearer reference parameters in order to direct one or more data flows of the DHO connection, and sending said signaling message to said node.
US07991397B2 System and method for generating a blacklist for femtocells
Provided are systems and methods for generating a blacklist for femtocells. According to an embodiment of the application, a mobile device generates and maintains a femtocell blacklist including an identification of at least one femtocell to be avoided by the mobile device. Upon detecting a femtocell, the mobile device determines whether the femtocell is identified in the femtocell blacklist. If the femtocell is identified in the femtocell blacklist, then the mobile device avoids any attempt to use the femtocell. This might allow the mobile device to conserve battery power and reduce wireless communication resources. Since the femtocell blacklist is generated and maintained by the mobile device, the network infrastructure does not need to generate and manage the femtocell blacklist. Also, there is no need for the mobile device to download a femtocell blacklist or updates thereof from the network infrastructure.
US07991394B2 Local number solution for roaming mobile telephony users
A system for managing of mobile phones at a roaming network, each mobile handset having a first handset number from its home network. The roaming network assigns a second number to a detected roamer, which number is local to the roaming network. The second number is not known directly to the handset, which continues to identify itself using the first number. The handling unit acts as a local home location register for handling local management of the roaming handset using both the second number and the first number, thus allowing the handset to identify itself using the first number but be called using the second number at local call rates.
US07991392B2 Communication system, information processing apparatus, and communication control method
This invention is characterized by a communication system comprising a station with a diversity function and an access point. The station notifies the access point that the station is in a power saving mode during antenna evaluation and, when the antenna evaluation is complete, notifies the access point of the end of the power saving mode. When recognizing that the station is in the power saving mode, the access point stops transmitting the data packet. Thus, the situation in which when a diversity function executes an antenna evaluation process, repetition of retransmission of a data packet, thereby disconnecting communication, is avoided.
US07991379B2 RF transmitter and receiver front-end
A radio frequency receiver front-end includes a low noise amplifier, a mixing stage, and a selectable channel filter. The low noise amplifier is operably coupled to amplify inbound RF signals to produce amplified inbound RF signals. The mixing stage is operably coupled to mix amplified inbound RF signals with a 1st local oscillation to produce a 1st intermediate frequency (IF) signal. The selectable channel filter is operably coupled to pass a 1st channel of the 1st IF signal when a channel select signal is in a 1st state and to pass a 2nd channel of the 1st IF signal when the channel select signal is in a 2nd state to produce a selected channel.
US07991376B2 Mixer used for direct conversion receiver
Provided is a mixer including a mixing unit configured to mix high frequency data signals and local oscillation (LO) signals, generate first and second low frequency data signals, and output the first and second low frequency data signals to first and second output terminals, respectively; a common mode amplification unit coupled to the mixing unit, the common mode amplification unit configured to compare a common mode voltage of the first and second low frequency data signals and a predetermined reference voltage, the common mode amplification unit further configured to output a feedback signal at a control node based on the comparison; a first load transistor coupled to the first output terminal and the control node, the first load transistor configured to provide the first output terminal with a first load current corresponding to the feedback signal; a first calibration transistor unit connected in parallel to the first load transistor in order to calibrate an input impedance of the first output terminal; and a first current mirror unit coupled to the first calibration transistor unit, the first current mirror unit configured to discharge a first calibration current that is output from the first calibration transistor unit to prevent the first calibration current from entering the first output terminal.
US07991373B2 Signal filtering system and related methods
A signal filtering system for a frequency reuse system. A first implementation may include a downlink baseband signal, coupled to a downlink bandwidth filter, including a composite received signal including at least an interfering signal and a signal of interest, each having a composite bandwidth, a first bandwidth, and a second bandwidth, respectively. An uplink baseband signal may be included, coupled to an uplink bandwidth filter, having a replica of the interfering signal corresponding with the interfering signal and having an interference bandwidth. A baseband processing module may be coupled with the downlink bandwidth filter and the uplink bandwidth filter and may be configured to cancel the interfering signal from the composite received signal using the replica of the interfering signal. The downlink bandwidth filter may be configured to reduce the composite bandwidth and the uplink bandwidth filter may be configured to reduce the interference bandwidth.
US07991365B2 Method, system and apparatus for estimation of propagation path variability of a transmit diversity channel
A method and apparatus for dynamic adaptation of transmit diversity parameters according to detected dynamics that may be, for example, related to changes in actual propagation and network conditions, and may be referred to as mobility parameters. Mobility parameters may apply to variability in a propagation path due to any conditions. Determination of a mobility parameter may be conducted using one or more of multiple parameters available to the mobile terminal.
US07991352B2 Method and apparatus for automatic repeat request in a multi-hop broadband wireless communication system
A retransmission method and apparatus in a multi-hop broadband wireless communication system are provided, in which if there is a failed data block among data blocks received from a source node, a Relay Station (RS) transmits a feedback message requesting retransmission of the failed data block to the source node, transmits a successfully received data block to a destination node, receives a retransmitted data block for the failed data block from the source node, transmits the received retransmitted data block to the destination node, receives from the destination node a feedback message about data blocks transmitted to the destination node, and transmits the feedback message to the source node.
US07991351B2 Extension of wired controller area networks to wireless personal area networks
An architecture to extend a wired controller area network (CAN) to the wireless domain of a low rate wireless personal area network (PAN) network is described herein. Such architecture provides a low cost, low power, efficient, and secure wireless network interface compatible with many existing SCADA infrastructure networks, in addition to countless other installations incorporating a CAN backbone. An architectural model for such an extension module includes additions to the CAN protocol stack. New protocols for the tunneling of messages and for enhancing reliability are also described.
US07991348B2 Triple band combining approach to satellite signal distribution
A method, apparatus and system for combining signals in a satellite delivery system are disclosed. A first set of satellite signals are broadcast in a first frequency band, and downconverted to a first Intermediate Frequency (IF) band, and a second set of satellite signals are broadcast in a second frequency band and downconverted to a second IF band and a third IF band. A combiner receives the first, second, and third IF bands and combines the first, second, and third IF bands into a delivery signal. A distribution unit coupled to the combiner distributes the delivery signal to a plurality of outputs.
US07991347B1 System and method for accessing set of digital data at a remote site
An information distribution and processing system contains a remote site, a sender and a receiving apparatus. The remote site contains a first set of digital data. The sender delivers a second set of digital data to the receiving device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the receiving device contain a timing device for automatically receiving the second set of digital data at predetermined times. The second set of digital data contains a first set of displayable data, a second set of displayable data, at least one non-displayable symbol, and at least one linking reference associated with the second set of displayable data. If desired, a user can select the second set of displayable data. The associated linking reference is sent to the remote site. The associated linking reference is used by the remote site to search for the additional information, and returns the requested information to the user.
US07991346B2 Image recording system
An image recording system is configured in which a plurality of image recording apparatuses provided with a recording medium storage portion are disposed in a line, and a recording medium storage means shared by these image recording apparatuses is provided, and a recording medium that has been recorded by the plurality of image recording apparatuses is transported toward the recording medium storage means and stored in the recording medium storage means.
US07991338B2 Belt-type fixing device and image forming apparatus
A belt-type fixing device having therein a pressure roller that has an elastic layer which is made of solid rubber, wherein, the elastic layer is covered by a resin layer on which a plurality of cracks are formed to be substantially deep enough to arrive at the elastic layer, and cracks harmful for the elastic layer are not caused by pressurization at a nip portion.
US07991335B2 Developer supply device and image forming apparatus
An apparatus includes an upstream transport surface TSa which, while facing a circumferential surface DS of a developing roller, is disposed upstream of an area (developing area) in the vicinity of a latent image forming surface LS, and a downstream transport surface TSb which, while facing the circumferential surface, is disposed downstream of the developing area. The apparatus forms electric fields on the upstream and downstream transport surfaces for moving a charged developer T from an upstream side toward a downstream side. In the apparatus, the transport speed of developer on the upstream transport surface is higher than that on the downstream transport surface. As a result, there can be lowered a speed at which the developer which has not adhered to the circumferential surface and has reached a downstream end portion of the upstream transport surface flies out toward the vicinity of the developing area. Also, there can be avoided a problem in that the developer stagnates at an upstream end portion of the downstream transport surface with a resultant hindrance to collection of the developer.
US07991327B2 Image forming apparatus and process cartridge
In an image forming apparatus, a photoconductor and a charge roller are in contact with each other and configured to rotate together at linear velocity v (millimeters/second). In this structure, a DC voltage is applied to the photoconductor and the charge roller while they are not rotating. In this state, parameters such as voltage, linear velocity, pressure contact force between the photoconductor and the charge roller are selected so that the ratio w/v (seconds), where w is the interval between two discharge marks occurring on surface of photoconductor, is between 0.005 to 0.035.
US07991326B2 Image forming apparatus having enhanced controlling method for reducing deviation of superimposed images
An image forming apparatus is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of image carriers to carry an image; a plurality of drivers to drive the image carriers; a plurality of drive-force transmitting members to transmit a driving-force from the drivers to image carriers; a developing unit, provided to the image carriers, to develop the image; a transfer member, facing the image carriers, to receive the image from the image carriers sequentially; an image detector to detect the image on the transfer member to check a detection timing of the image; a sensor, provided to each of the image carriers, to detect a rotational speed of image carriers; and a controller to conduct an image-to-image displacement control, a speed-deviation checking, and a phase adjustment control for each of the plurality of image carriers with the image detector and sensor.
US07991320B2 Image forming device and method of manufacturing the same
In an image forming device, at an end portion of a middle frame, a first protrusion and a second protrusion are arranged so as to protrude substantially parallel to each other. A plate-shaped arm extends from a leading end of the second protrusion in a direction towards a leading end of the first protrusion. A control protrusion is integrally arranged at a leading end of the plate-shaped arm. On the other hand, a rear side frame has a recessed portion. When the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the plate-shaped arm are inserted into the recessed portion, the control protrusion passes a latching protrusion provided to the recessed portion, and the control protrusion and the latching protrusion are latched by facing each other.
US07991317B2 Automatic job template generating apparatus and automatic job template generation method
In order to provide an automatic job template generating apparatus capable of making operations simpler by reducing the steps in the user interface operation to match a frequently used capability of an MFP, an automatic job template generating apparatus of the invention is formed of an operation history acquisition unit configured to acquire an operation history of a multi function peripherals for each user according to information accessed to the multi function peripherals on the Web, an operation frequency analysis unit configured to analyze an operation frequency at regular timing according to the operation history acquired by the operation history acquisition unit, and a job template generation unit configured to newly generate a job execution parameter having a high operation frequency on an operation screen as a job template button according to an analysis result of the operation analysis unit.
US07991313B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an alternating-current high-voltage power supply generating an alternating-current bias for detection of the remaining amount of toner. The alternating-current high-voltage power supply includes a piezoelectric transformer, a piezoelectric-transformer driving unit, a piezoelectric-transformer driving-signal generating unit, a voltage detecting unit, a voltage setting unit, and an controlling unit that feeds back a difference signal between a detection level signal supplied from a detection signal detecting unit and a setting signal supplied from the voltage setting unit to the piezoelectric-transformer driving-signal generating unit to control an output voltage from the piezoelectric-transformer.
US07991309B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus which is free from occurrence of image noise due to the bleed phenomenon even without providing any contact-and-separation mechanism for the transfer member includes a control device which counts stop time elapsing from a stop to a restart of the image carrier, calculates an avoidance sheet count corresponding to the stop time at a restart of the image carrier, and makes a toner image carried on only part of the image carrier that has been out of the nip against the transfer member during the stop of the image carrier until the avoidance sheet count is reached after the restart of the image carrier.
US07991308B2 Waste toner amount detecting apparatus and method, and image forming apparatus employing the same
Disclosed are a waste toner amount detecting apparatus and method which can detect whether a waste toner bottle is full of a waste toner using a change in a current of a motor which drives an auger, and an image forming apparatus employing the same. The waste toner amount detecting apparatus is in an image forming apparatus which includes a motor current detector to detect a drive current of a motor which rotates an auger for leveling the waste toner contained in the waste toner bottle; and a controller which includes a determining unit to determine whether the waste toner bottle is full of the waste toner, using a difference between a first current value corresponding to a minimum drive current of the motor and a second current value corresponding to a current drive current of the motor.
US07991301B2 Detecting abnormality in an optical receiver
An optical apparatus comprising: a branching unit branching an input light modulated by DQSPK format and thereby outputting a first branched light and a second branched light; a first branch and a second branch inputting the first branched light and the second branched light, respectively, the first branch and the second branch having an interferometer, a photo detector, and discriminator and demodulating I-signal and Q-signal, respectively; and an abnormality detection unit detecting an abnormality of the input light based on a synchronized detection of a first demodulated signal output from the photo detector in the first branch and a first recovered signal output from the discriminator in the first branch, and a synchronized detection of a second demodulated signal output from the photo detector in the second branch and a second recovered signal output from the discriminator in the second branch.
US07991299B2 Optical transmitter with driving voltage control and method
An exemplary aspect of the invention is an optical transmitter that emits a light signal, including: a light source; a Mach-Zehnder optical modulator; a modulator driver; a wavelength information holder; and a driving voltage controller, wherein the Mach-Zehnder optical modulator modulates the light intensity of output light from the light source by use of a modulator driving signal, the modulator driver outputs the modulator driving signal according to an input data signal, the wavelength information holder holds wavelength information on the output light of the light source, the driving voltage controller outputs, to the modulator driver, a control signal for setting the latest driving voltage, according to the wavelength information from the wavelength information holder.
US07991295B2 Method and system for compensating for optical dispersion in an optical signal
A method is provided for dispersion compensation of an optical signal communicated in an optical network comprising a plurality of spans of low chromatic dispersion fiber. The method includes receiving an optical signal comprising a plurality of channels, where the information communicated in a first set of one or more of the channels is modulated using a first modulation technique and where the information communicated in a second set of one or more of the channels is modulated using a second modulation technique. The method also includes uniformly undercompensating for optical dispersion in the optical signal across all of the channels of the optical signal such that the accumulated dispersion in the optical signal increases with each span over which the optical signal is communicated. In particular embodiments, all of the channels of the optical signal are uniformly undercompensated in the range of approximately 60% to approximately 85% dispersion compensation for each span.
US07991284B2 Imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus includes a present date and time information obtaining device to obtain present date-time information at a time performing a present photographing operation, a last date-time information recording device to record last date-time information at a time performing a last photographing operation, an image number counting device to compare the present and last date-time information when performing the present photographing operation and to newly count a number of photographed subject images when the present date-time information is not within the predetermined period from the last date-time information and to continuously count the number of photographed subject images when the present date and time information is within the predetermined period from the last date-time information, and a displaying unit having an exit screen displayed when the imaging apparatus is turned off and to display the number of the photographed subject images on the exit screen.
US07991272B2 Apparatus and method of processing an audio signal
In one embodiment, random access unit information is added to an audio signal including a plurality of random access units. Each random access unit includes a number of frames and at least one of the frames being a random access frame. Each random access frame is a frame encoded such that previous frames are not necessary to decode the random access frame. The random access unit information indicates a distance between at least two of the random access frames in bytes.
US07991271B2 Transfer of metadata using video frames
An automated method of attaching metadata to a segment of content using a programmed processor consistent with certain embodiments involves retrieving metadata relating to the segment of content; rendering the metadata as visually perceptible text in one or more frames of video; appending the one or more frames of video to the video as the first one or more frames of the video to produce metadata enhanced video; and storing or transmitting the metadata enhanced video. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US07991270B2 Recording medium, reproducing device, recording method, and reproducing method
On a BD-ROM, PlayList information is recorded. The PlayList information includes MainPath information and SubPath information. The MainPath information specifies one of a plurality of AVClips as a MainClip, and defines a primary playback section on the MainClip. The SubPath information specifies, among the rest of the AVClips, one AVClip as a SubClip, and defines, on the SubClip, a secondary playback section to be synchronized with the primary playback section. The PlayList information includes an STN_table, which indicates SubClip and, from among a plurality of elementary streams multiplexed into the SubClip, elementary streams allowed to be played back. A total data size of AVClip per unit time is, for example, less than or equal to 48 Mbits when the AVClip includes a plurality of elementary streams allowed in the STN_table to be played back and does not include elementary streams which are not allowed in the STN_table to be played back.
US07991266B2 Representative image providing system and representative image providing method
To provide the possible largest number of representative images of the image data recorded on the recording medium on the surface of a recording medium which is limited in size.When recording image data recorded on two DVD-Rs on a new DVD-R, a lenticular image synthesis is carried out on the representative images D1 and D2 provided on the surface of the original DVD-Rs and a representative image D3 of the new DVD-R to generate one synthetic representative image D10 and the synthetic representative image D10 is printed on the surface of the new DVD-R.
US07991265B2 Content recording apparatus capable of recording long content output
A content recording apparatus (10) includes an MPEG-4 codec (34). Compressed motion image data output from the MPEG-4 codec (34) in photographing a motion image is a motion image content which expresses a continuous change with time and has an I frame allocated intermittently. A CPU (40) records the compressed motion image data onto a recording medium (38). The CPU (40) also creates motion image index data pointing each frame of the compressed motion image data output from the MPEG-4 codec (34) in parallel with the compression operation by the MPEG-4 codec (34). The created motion image index data is recorded onto the recording medium (38) by the CPU (40) every time that the I frame is specified.
US07991262B2 Recording medium on which 3D video is recorded, playback apparatus for playing back 3D video, and system LSI
A left view graphics stream and a right view graphics stream recorded on a recording medium each include one or more display sets, and the display sets are data groups used for displaying one screen worth of one or more graphics objects. The one or more display sets included in the left view graphics stream are in one-to-one correspondence with the one or more display sets included in the right view graphics stream, and an identical playback time for the video stream on the playback time axis is set in each of the corresponding display sets. Each display set includes state information indicating whether the data is all data necessary for displaying one screen worth of one or more graphics objects, or is a difference from the immediately previous display set, and the state information included in corresponding display sets indicate identical content.
US07991254B2 Optical package with multi-component mounting frame
An optical package is provided comprising a laser diode, coupling optics, a wavelength conversion device, and a multi-component mounting frame. The coupling optics comprises a first lens component that creates a virtual magnified image V of the waveguide of one of the opposing facets with a magnification factor M1 and a second lens component that creates a focused image of V at the remaining opposing facet with a magnification factor M2. The virtual magnified image V is outside of the interfacial waveguide-to-waveguide optical path of the package and the multi-component mounting frame comprises first and second frame components that independently fix the relative alignment of the first and second lens components. The first and second frame components are secured to each other such that angular misalignment between the first and second frame components originates along a fixation interface H that is outside of the interfacial waveguide-to-waveguide optical path. The virtual magnified image V and the fixation interface H are both positioned on a common side of the coupling optics, either the laser diode side of the coupling optics or the wavelength conversion device side of the coupling optics. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US07991250B2 Printed circuit board
A printed circuit board including a first optical waveguide having a circuit pattern and a pad buried in one side thereof, a first insulation layer stacked over one side of the first optical waveguide, a first insulating material stacked over the first insulation layer, a first electrical wiring layer stacked over the first insulating material, a second optical waveguide having a circuit pattern and a pad buried in one side thereof, a second insulation layer stacked over one side of the second optical waveguide, a second insulating material stacked over the second insulation layer, a second electrical wiring layer stacked over the second insulating material, an intermediate layer interposed between the other side of the first optical waveguide and the other side of the second optical waveguide such that the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide are attached, and a via penetrating the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide.
US07991237B2 Image encoding device, image decoding device, image encoding method and image decoding method
An encoding device includes a color component separating unit for separating an input bit stream for the respective color components, a block dividing unit for dividing an input color component signal into blocks to generate a signal of an encoding unit area, a predicted image generating unit for generating a predicted image for the signal, a determining unit for determining a prediction mode used for encoding according to a prediction efficiency of the predicted image, a prediction error encoding unit for encoding a difference between the predicted image corresponding to the prediction mode determined by the determining unit and the input color component signal, and an encoding unit for variable length-coding the prediction mode, an output from the prediction error encoding unit, and a color component identification flag indicating the color component to which the input bit stream belongs as a result of the color component separation.
US07991233B2 Method and apparatus for dynamic connector analysis
A method (1100) of creating an editable document is disclosed. The method analyses a bitmap image to detect at least one bit map representation of a graphical object and a bitmap representation of a line object. The method matches the graphical object with one of a plurality of predetermined template shapes (e.g., 420), the template shape having one or more predetermined non-contiguous connection points. The method selects one of the predetermined connection points for the line object if at least one end of the line object is within a predetermined distance of the selected connection point and associates the line object with the selected connection point. The method creates an editable document comprising the template shape with the line object connected thereto, wherein the line object remains associated with the selected connection point upon the template shape being modified within the document such that the line object remains dynamically connected to the template shape.
US07991222B2 Method and apparatus for high resolution 3D imaging as a function of camera position, camera trajectory and range
A system and method for imaging a three-dimensional scene having one or more objects. The system includes a light source, a detector array, a timing circuit, an inertial guidance system and a processor connected to the timing circuit and the inertial guidance system. The light source generates an optical pulse and projects the optical pulse on an object so that it is reflected as a reflected pulse. The detector array includes a plurality of detectors, wherein the detectors are oriented to receive the reflected pulse. The timing circuit determines when the reflected pulse reached detectors on the detector array. The inertial guidance system measures angular velocity and acceleration. The processor forms a composite image of the three-dimensional scene as a function of camera position and range to objects in the three-dimensional scene.
US07991208B2 Method and device for processing image
A watermark generating unit divides an image to be processed into a plurality of regions smaller than the image. The watermark generating unit generates an inner-region image by performing first image processing on an inner image in each region of the image. The watermark generating unit performs mask processing on an outer-region pattern, and generates an outer-region image by performing second image processing on an outer image in the region. Based on the inner-region image and the outer-region image, the watermark generating unit generates a watermark image.
US07991205B2 Biometrics device
A device includes a supporting mechanism which movably supports a living body, light sources which emit near infrared rays, an imaging unit which picks up venous images of the living body with light emitted from the light sources and an image processing unit which processes venous images picked up by the imaging unit, wherein the imaging unit picks up a plurality of still images consecutively from the living body which travels supported by the supporting mechanism and the image processing unit forms an image pattern of the living body by subjecting the obtained plurality of still images to processing.
US07991201B2 Methods and systems for protection of identity
The present invention relates to a method to the creation and management of a secondary identification to avoid identify theft. Identity theft may occur over the internet, the purchase of goods and services by credit, and many other forms not yet known. The present invention creates a secondary identification for a person by creating one or more of the following secondary identifications which include a secondary email address, a secondary postal address, a secondary phone number, and any other identifying secondary information. The present invention describes methods and systems to create a secondary identification. Further, the present invention may be used to create a credit card containing the requestor's secondary identification.
US07991199B2 Object identification and verification using transform vector quantization
An identification system uses mappings of known objects to codebooks representing those objects to identify an object represented by multiple input representations or to verify that an input representation corresponds to an input known object. To identify the object, the identification system generates an input feature vector for each input representation. The identification system then accumulates for each known object the distances between the codebook of that object and each of the input feature vectors. The distance between a codebook and a feature vector may be the minimum of the distances between the code vectors of the codebook and the feature vector. The identification system then selects the object with the smallest accumulated distance as being the object represented by the multiple input representations.
US07991192B2 Method of tracking a moving object by an emissivity of the moving object
A method of tracking a moving object by an emissivity of the moving object including receiving first frame data containing emissivity image data of an emissivity from the moving object within a scene, extracting characterization image data from the first frame data that represents edges and gradients of the emissivity, and analyzing the characterization image data for tracking information.
US07991191B2 Clustering-scheme-encoded interfaces providing orientation feedback
Clustering-definition-based encoding schemes printed as a computer-oriented digital layer onto a physical surface whereby the surface functions as an interface enabling, via a simple image-acquisition device scanning a minimal field required to establish the clustering definition, the provision, to a suitable data processing and human-oriented display means, of feedback on the orientation of the image-acquisition device relative to the digital layer overall.
US07991186B2 Banknotes with a printed security image that can be detected with one-dimensional signal processing
A method to generate a security pattern to be embedded in an original image has the particularity that the detection of the security pattern can be achieved through a simple, low processing capability device. The method for generating a security image comprising the original image and the security pattern is characterized in that the security pattern is formed by an inverse transform of the combination in the frequency domain of an auxiliary image and a radially symmetric, two-dimensional pattern, said two-dimensional pattern created by sweeping a self-similar, one-dimensional function along a 360-degree arc, and the security image is generated by the modulation of at least one color of at least a part of the original image with the pattern.
US07991184B2 Apparatus to process images and video
The present disclosure relates generally to digital watermarking. One claim recites an apparatus including: an input for receiving imagery or video; and an electronic processor for processing received imagery or video. The electronic processor is programmed for detecting first digital watermarking and second digital watermark from the imagery or video, in which the first digital watermarking utilizes a relationship between at least a first color space and a second color space. Another claim recites an apparatus including: an input for receiving imagery or video; and an electronic processor for processing received imagery or video. The electronic processor is programmed for embedding first digital watermarking and second digital watermark in the imagery or video, in which the first digital watermarking comprises a geometrically linear assignment of pixels, while the second digital watermarking comprises a geometrically random assignment of pixels. Of course other claims and combinations are provided too.
US07991181B2 Loudspeaker system
A speaker unit is attached to an opening section formed on an front surface of a cabinet. In an inside of the cabinet, fibrous activated carbon (activated carbon fiber) is located. A pressure change in the inside of the cabinet, which changes according to a sound pressure of the speaker unit, is suppressed by physical adsorption by the activated carbon. Further, since the activated carbon fiber has micro pores, which physically adsorbs a gaseous body, situated on a surface of the fiber, a loss in acoustic energy at the time of physical adsorption is small, and thus it is possible to prevent deterioration in a sound pressure level.
US07991173B2 Waterproof microphone
An anterior wall of a case has a central aperture and two discharge apertures extending from the central aperture. There is an anterior chamber inside the anterior wall. Moisture such as rain water, even if entering the anterior chamber, is smoothly discharged out of the case from the discharge apertures along an inner face of the anterior chamber. As a result, it becomes possible to prevent the moisture from remaining and attaching to a first diaphragm in the anterior chamber and to prevent degradation of sound pressure collected by the first diaphragm through the central aperture and the discharge apertures.
US07991165B2 Noise rejecting electronic stethoscope
An acoustic-electronic stethoscope that filters aberrant environmental background noise. The chest piece employs acoustic vents to inhibit resonant amplification of noise and contains a diaphragm design that focuses vibrational energy to a raised ring, which transfers and further focuses the energy to a piezoelectric polymer sensor with dual elements. The ensuing electrical signal is then preamplified with the low frequency sound, comprising predominantly background noise, filtered out. The stethoscope contains a binaural head set and output jack for down loading of data. Furthermore, areas normally subject to exposure and damage to water, such as the chest piece and headset, are water-tight.
US07991160B2 Method and system for securing wireless communications
A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and a Node B, respectively, perform joint randomness not shared by others (JRNSO) measurement to generate JRNSO bits based on a channel estimate between the WTRU and the Node B. The WTRU and the Node B then perform a reconciliation procedure to generate a common JRNSO bits. The Node B sends the common JRNSO bits to a serving network. The WTRU and the SN secure a session key (such as an integrity key, a cipher key and an anonymity key), using the common JRNSO bits. The JRNSO measurements are performed on an on-going basis, and the session key is updated using a new set of common JRNSO bits. The JRNSO bits may be expanded by using a pseudorandom number generator (PNG) or a windowing technique. A handover may be intentionally induced to increase the JRNSO bits generation rate.
US07991158B2 Secure messaging
Secure authentication and messaging for mobile online transactions are performed by a secure messaging platform. The secure messaging platform may include a token coupled to a mobile device, or a mobile device alone. The token enables secure access, and client and server protocols enable secure transactions using text/SMS messaging.
US07991154B2 Exponentiation method using multibase number representation
A method of scalar multiplication for use in elliptic curve-based cryptosystems (ECC) is provided. Scalars are represented using a generic multibase form combined with the non-adjacency property, which greatly reduces the nonzero density in the representation. The method allows for flexibly selecting an unrestricted number of bases and their weight in the representation according to the particular characteristics of a setting, in such a way that computing costs are minimized. A simple, memory-friendly conversion process from binary to multibase representation and an inexpensive methodology to protect the multibase scalar multiplication against simple-side channel attacks are also provided.
US07991151B2 Method for secure delegation of calculation of a bilinear application
A technique for secure delegation of calculation of a value f(X,Y) of a bilinear application in a computational server. The technique comprises selection of two secret parameters a and b; calculation of the numbers Xa and Yb; supply of the two numbers Xa and Yb to the computational server; calculation of f(Xa, Yb) by said server; receipt of the value of f(Xa,Yb) from the server; extraction of the abth root of f(Xa,Yb).
US07991147B2 Handset device with laminated architecture
A handset device (10) includes a laminated front sub-assembly (15) and a rear housing (20) supporting the laminated front sub-assembly. In addition, in one example, an integrated circuit substrate (24), a battery (28), and a speaker (32) are held adjacent to each other in a non-stacked arrangement in the rear housing. In one example, the laminated front sub-assembly may include a sheet (32) having operative indicia coupled therewith and a user interface substrate (56) operatively coupled to the sheet. The laminated front assembly 15 can also include a display (52), such as an electrophoretic display, held between the user interface substrate (56) and the sheet (32).
US07991144B2 Voice communication terminal
When an outgoing call is to be requested on a terminal, the terminal transmits a first outgoing call request containing the priority of outgoing call operation. When the terminal transmits the first outgoing call request, and then receives a second outgoing call request addressed to the terminal before it receives an incoming call response with respect to the first outgoing call request from a destination terminal, the terminal compares the priority contained in the second outgoing call request with the priority contained in the first outgoing call request. The terminal executes an incoming call response procedure corresponding to the second outgoing call request when the priority in the second outgoing call request is higher as the result of comparison between the priorities of outgoing call operation, and executes a outgoing call control following the first outgoing call request when the priority in the first outgoing call request is higher.
US07991130B2 Method, system, apparatus, and computer program product for transmitting a message
A method for effecting delivery of a message from an originator in an original message format to a plurality of authorized receivers in a respective reception message format includes: (a) composing the message; (b) characterizing the message for addressing to indicate at least one feature of the message; (c) addressing the message according to the characterizing pursuant to information provided in a data base that identifies particulars relating to each respective authorized receiver; the addressing establishing selected receivers of the plurality of authorized receivers as permitted receivers; the particulars including the appropriate respective reception message format for each respective permitted receiver; and (d) transmitting the message to each respective permitted receiver via a communication network that includes respective communication media configured for delivering the message in the appropriate respective reception message format to each respective permitted receiver.
US07991129B2 Personalized voice applications in an information assistance service
To personalize a voice information delivery service, e.g., directory assistance, a voice email service, stock quotation service and other information assistance services, a user is afforded an option to customize automated voices/speeches to deliver information to him/her. The automated voices/speeches may be customized for different services and functions, and/or in terms of urgency, context, etc. of the information to be voice-delivered. In an illustrative embodiment, the user's voice preferences for voice information deliveries are recorded in a user profile, which are represented by sets of speech characterizing parameters, respectively, based on which a text-to-speech (TTS) engine reads given text information to the user in the corresponding preferred voices/speeches.
US07991127B2 Method and apparatus for negotiated message delivery
A method of message delivery can include registering a plurality of reception states for a receiving party. The reception states can specify conditions for establishing communications links with receiving party addresses. A receiving party address can be identified from a first initiated communications link between the sending party and the receiving party. Reception state data specified by the plurality of reception states can be determined according to the receiving party address and can be presented to the sending party.
US07991124B2 Method and system for collecting contemporaneous information relating to a critical event
The present invention is directed to a method and system for collecting contemporaneous information relating to a critical event. The method includes receiving a call requesting an emergency response to a critical event and in response to the call, using at least one communication network to transmit a request for supplemental information from reporting devices located in a specified area related to the critical event. The supplemental information is received over the at least one communication network.
US07991122B2 DSL system training
Existing and future standardized VDSL2 and other systems can be integrated into and used with a vectored DSLAM or other vectored or non-vectored DSL system, without a new user disrupting service to other users in the same or a nearby binder, in some cases by using transmit power, CARMASK and/or PSDMASK DSL capabilities to reduce both downstream and upstream training-signal levels so that training of a new DSL line is non-disruptive, despite a lack of knowledge of the pre-existing binder. For vectored systems, the crosstalk from that tone can be observed, learned and then added to the vectoring system so that any subsequent excitation on that tone would be eliminated by vector processing. A second tone then can be added in the same way, etc. In non-vectored DSLs that might be operating in a binder or line set, once these non-vectored lines are observed to be present, a vectored line set controller, such as a DSL optimizer, then can anticipate the potential interference from such non-vectored lines.
US07991119B2 Radiation detecting apparatus, radiographic image capturing system, and radiographic image capturing method
An electronic cassette in a radiographic image capturing system includes a radiation detector for detecting radiation applied from an image capturing apparatus and transmitted through a patient, a contactless power receiver for receiving electric power supplied contactlessly from a power feeder and supplying the electric power to a battery, an A/D converter for performing an A/D conversion to convert analog radiographic image information generated based on the radiation applied to the radiation detector into digital radiographic image information, an end-of-A/D-conversion determining unit for determining whether the A/D conversion is finished or not, and a charging controller for stopping the power feeder from supplying electric power contactlessly after the image capturing apparatus has started capturing images until the end-of-A/D-conversion determining unit judges that the A/D conversion is finished.
US07991101B2 Multiple channel synchronized clock generation scheme
Multiple channel synchronized clock generation scheme. A novel approach is presented herein in which synchronized clock signals are generated that can be used in parallel processing of deserialized signals. When a serial input signal is received, it can be deserialized into a plurality of parallel signals, and each of these parallel signals can be processed at a frequency that is lower than the frequency of the serial signal. Overall, the frequency at which all of the parallel signals are processed can be the same or substantially close to the frequency of the serial signal, so that throughput within a communication system is not compromised or undesirably reduced. This novel approach is operable to perform independent adjustment of the operational parameters within an apparatus that is operable to perform multiple channel synchronized clock generation (e.g., phase rotation and/or division of signals within each of the individual channels can be adjusted independently).
US07991100B2 Method for the synchronization of a radio receiver, and adapted receiver for the implementation of said method
A method for the synchronization of a radio receiver, comprising an estimation of the moment when a pulse (11, 17) is received (11, 17), performed from the moment when a previous pulse was received. The estimated moment is compared with the real moment when the pulse (21, 27) is received in order to validate an association of pulses with values of a code recorded in the receiver (31, 37). A moment for the beginning of transmission of a symbol is thus deduced, enabling the receiver to be synchronized in relation to the transmitted radio pulse sequence.
US07991096B1 Data sampling method and apparatus using through-transition counts to reject worst sampling position
A data sampling circuit that employs an oversampling clock to oversample a data signal, a phase tracking circuit for use in such a sampling circuit, and a receiver and system including such a sampling circuit. Preferably, phase tracking is implemented by systematically identifying and rejecting at least one worst sampling position, and sampling the data signal at a non-rejected sampling position. Preferably, phase tracking is accomplished by counting through-transitions of edges of the sampled data signal through each oversampling position, and rejecting an oversampling position having a highest count of through-transitions. In some embodiments, different phase tracking methods (at least one of which includes the step of generating through-transition counts) are used for different types of input data. Other aspects of the invention are methods for determining an oversampling position for oversampling a data signal, and methods for oversampling a data signal including by generating through-transition counts.
US07991088B2 Iterative interference cancellation using mixed feedback weights and stabilizing step sizes
A receiver is configured for canceling intra-cell and inter-cell interference in coded, multiple-access, spread-spectrum transmissions that propagate through frequency-selective communication channels. The receiver employs iterative symbol-estimate weighting, subtractive cancellation with a stabilizing step-size, and mixed-decision symbol estimates. Receiver embodiments may be implemented explicitly in software or programmed hardware, or implicitly in standard Rake-based hardware either within the Rake (i.e., at the finger level) or outside the Rake (i.e., at the user or subchannel symbol level).
US07991085B2 Early energy measurement
In a described implementation of early energy measurement, a wireless device adjusts a receiver gain during each current symbol time responsive to a signal energy level measured in a previous symbol time.
US07991079B2 FFT numerology for an OFDM transmission system
An exemplary fast Fourier transform (FFT) numerology for an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) downlink transmission system is described. The exemplary FFT numerology reduces the FFT sampling rate for a given transmission bandwidth, thereby increasing the battery life of a UE. The FFT numerology increases robustness against Doppler spread, phase noise, and frequency offset, enabling operation in channels with high delay spread, such as occurs in mountainous regions. The described numerology might provide the following without altering standard sub-frame duration: increased intercarrier spacing; reduced FFT sampling frequency across the transmission bandwidths; reduced FFT size across all transmission bandwidths; increased number of OFDM symbols per sub-frame; and/or increased cyclic prefix length choices.
US07991076B2 Complex signal scaling for phase and/or amplitude modulated signals
A signal scaling device (D), for a transmission path of a wireless communication equipment, comprises a processing means (PM) adapted to receive a phase and/or amplitude modulated signal (I/Q) to transmit, and arranged to multiply said phase and/or amplitude modulated signal with a chosen complex gain in order to output said phase and/or amplitude modulated signal with a chosen scaled amplitude and a chosen phase offset.
US07991075B2 Radio broadcasting method and transmitter using pre-filtering and corresponding signal
The disclosure relates to a radio broadcasting method for a first multicarrier digital signal occupying a first frequency band adjacent to at least one second frequency band, each assigned to a second signal. Pre-filtering is applied to the said first signal before its emission so as to attenuate the power of the said first signal in at least a first portion of the said first frequency band, adjacent to the said second frequency band(s).
US07991073B2 Distortion compensation apparatus and method
A distortion compensation apparatus includes a distortion compensation unit that performs distortion compensation processing on a transmission signal by a series operation, a coefficient update unit that updates a group of series operation coefficients used for the series operation based on a feedback signal of transmission signal output that is output after power amplification processing is performed on output of the distortion compensation unit and the transmission signal, an initial coefficient memory that stores the groups of series operation coefficients that become initial values for coefficient update processing by the coefficient update unit, and a power fluctuation detection unit that detects a power fluctuation of the transmission signal and, when the power fluctuation is detected, reads the groups of series operation coefficients from the initial coefficient memory and provides the groups of series operation coefficients to the coefficient update unit.
US07991069B2 Method for adapting filter cut-off frequencies for the transmission of discrete multitone symbols
A method for adapting filter cut-off frequencies for the transmission of discrete multitone symbols, where a transmit symbol datastream consisting of discrete multitone symbols is applied to an interpolation device, the transmit symbol datastream is interpolated with a symbol rate in the interpolation device, an interpolated symbol datastream is filtered in a first low-pass filtering device in accordance with a first filter cut-off frequency, which can be predetermined by a first filter cut-off frequency determining device, a digital symbol datastream obtained after a digital-analog conversion, transmission and analog-digital conversion, is filtered at the receiver end in a second low-pass filtering device in accordance with a second filter cut-off frequency, which can be predetermined by a second filter cut-off frequency determining device, in order to provide an equalized symbol datastream, the equalized symbol datastream is decimated in a decimation device and the decimated received symbol datastream consisting of discrete multitone symbols is provided to a multitone receiver device.
US07991068B2 Method and apparatus to balance maximum information rate with quality of service in a MIMO system
In a wireless MIMO communication system for N symbols of a frame of information, allocating N1 symbols to a stronger eigen sub-channel and N2 symbols to a weaker eigen sub-channel, where N1>N2; determining a probability of reception error when transmitting the N2 symbols through the weaker eigen sub-channel for an auxiliary signal-to-noise ratio; solving for a quality of service QoS of the weaker eigen sub-channel and if the QoS is less than a desired QoS, decreasing the value of N and repeating allocating symbols, determining the probability of reception error and solving for the QoS. Another aspect includes asymmetrically allocating spreading codes to a stronger eigen sub-channel and to a weaker eigen sub-channel such that the stronger eigen sub-channel is allocated more spreading codes than the weaker eigen sub-channel; and transmitting all systematic bits of turbo coded information over the stronger eigen sub-channel.
US07991064B2 Radio parameter group generating apparatus, transmitter and receiver
An apparatus for generating sets of radio parameters includes a first deriving unit deriving a set of radio parameters for specifying a symbol including an effective symbol part with the same period as the effective symbol part specified by another set of radio parameters and a guard interval part with a different period from the guard interval part specified by the other set of radio parameters. The apparatus further includes a second deriving unit deriving a set of radio parameters so that an occupancy proportion of the guard interval part in a single symbol specified by another set of radio parameters is equal to an occupancy proportion of the guard interval part in a single symbol specified by the other set of radio parameters.
US07991059B2 Robust channel estimation for wireless systems
The present invention relates to a method, apparatus, and computer program product, wherein frequency co-variances or correlations of a measured power delay profile or frequency correlation function are estimated at two different non-zero sub-carrier lags of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing channel. A ratio of squared magnitudes of the two estimated frequency co-variances is calculated and a delay spread or coherence bandwidth of said channel is estimated based on the calculated ratio.
US07991054B2 Information signal processing device, information signal processing method, image signal processing device, image displaying device, device and method for producing correction data used in them, device and method for producing coefficient data, programs for executing these methods, and computer-readable medium for storing the program
The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing informational signal etc. that are preferably applied to a digital broadcast receiver etc. A class classification portion (130) generates a class code CL for indicating a class to which pixel data y of a target position in an image signal Vb belongs. From an accumulation table (131), based on this class code CL, difference data DF (correction data of encoding noise) that corresponds to the target position is read. Pixel data (pixel value or DCT coefficient) x that corresponds to the target position in the image signal Vb is supplied to an addition portion (134). The addition portion 134 adds the difference data DF read out of the accumulation table (131) to this pixel data x, to obtain pixel data y of the target position in the image signal Vb. Encoding noise (encoding distortion) of this pixel data y is reduced.
US07991053B2 Method and apparatus to enable acquisition of media in streaming applications
Methods and apparatus for encoding and decoding multimedia frames are presented. The method comprises encoding a set of acquisition frames including a viewable frame, each frame comprising one or more intra-coded portions and one or more inter-coded portions, wherein the act of encoding the intra-coded portions comprises positioning the intra-coded portions such that when the intra-coded portions of the set of acquisition frames are combined, a complete intra-coded composite frame is formed. The act of encoding the inter-coded portions comprises predicting the inter-coded portions such that the viewable frame is comprised of intra-coded portions and inter-coded portions that are directly or indirectly predicted from the intra-coded portions of the set of acquisition frames.
US07991048B2 Device and method for double-pass encoding of a video data stream
The invention relates to a device for double pass encoding of a video data stream comprising: a first type encoding means performing the first encoding pass, a second type encoding means performing the second encoding pass. According to the invention, the second type encoding means are different from the first type encoding means and the second type encoding means use encoding information originating from the first encoding pass. Application to MPEG-2 and H.264 encoding.
US07991045B2 Device and method for testing signal-receiving sensitivity of an electronic subassembly
A device and a method for testing signal-receiving sensitivity of an electronic subassembly are provided. The device includes a control board and a computer. The control board is connected to the electronic subassembly. The computer is connected to the control board and also connected to the electronic subassembly. Wherein signals sent by the computer are compared with signals received by the computer for adjusting predetermined parameters associated with the signal-receiving sensitivity.
US07991040B2 Methods and apparatus for reduction of a peak to average ratio for an OFDM transmit signal
Methods and apparatus for reduction of a peak to average ratio for an OFDM transmit signal. In an aspect, a method is provided for reducing a peak to average ratio of a transmit waveform. The method includes obtaining a primary scrambler sequence, generating a secondary scrambler sequence having a length characteristic based on data to be scrambled, and combining the primary and secondary scrambler sequences to produce a PAR reduction sequence. In another aspect, an apparatus is provided for reducing a peak to average ratio of a transmit waveform. The apparatus includes a secondary generator configured to generate a secondary scrambler sequence having a length characteristic based on data to be scrambled, and combining logic configured to combine a primary scrambler sequence and the secondary scrambler sequences to produce a PAR reduction sequence.
US07991033B2 Vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), VCSEL array device, optical scanning apparatus, and image forming apparatus
A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) includes a semiconductor substrate, a lower reflecting mirror formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a mesa structure. The mesa structure includes an active layer, a selective oxidization layer that includes a current confined structure, and an upper reflecting mirror. A lower electrode is connected to the semiconductor substrate, and an upper electrode is connected to the upper reflecting mirror. The VCSEL emits laser light perpendicularly to the plane of the semiconductor substrate when an electric current flows between the upper electrode and the lower electrode. The semiconductor substrate is inclined with respect to (100) plane. The active layer includes a quantum well layer having a compressive strain with respect to the substrate, and a spacer layer. The spacer layer has either a compressive strain or a tensile strain with respect to the semiconductor substrate.
US07991026B2 Intracavity frequency-converted optically-pumped semiconductor laser with red-light output
In a branched resonator OPS-laser arrangement, a combination of intra-cavity optical parametric generation and intra-cavity sum-frequency mixing provides output radiation in a range between about 550 nanometers about 700 nanometers from an OPS fundamental wavelength in a range between about 900 nm and about 1100 nm.
US07991025B2 Tunable lasers locked to whispering gallery mode resonators
Techniques and devices that stabilize a laser to a whispering gallery mode optical resonator.
US07991021B2 Multimode raman fiber device with mode discrimination
A multimode optical fiber has a core that includes radially dependent dopant materials to provide a desired refractive index profile and a desired Raman gain coefficient profile. A laser diode pump laser array provides high brightness light that is launched into the fiber and is subject to maximum Raman gain along the optical axis, thereby favoring the lowest order mode of the fiber, discriminating against higher order modes and providing a high brightness, diffraction limited output. The fiber can be incorporated into oscillators, amplifiers and other optical devices.
US07991017B2 Deterministic communication system
The invention relates to a communication system and a method for controlling a communication system for communicating audio data between each of a plurality of terminal units (T1-T3). In order to provide a deterministic communication protocol with lowest possible overhead and a system for implementing same said method is characterized by the steps of: examining an identity of said terminal units (T1-T3) by said central unit (10) during an initialization phase; transmitting a predetermined data frame including a first synchronization signal, a terminal unit address of a respective terminal unit, a payload field and a second synchronization signal by said central unit (10) via said master bus (14) during a configuration phase; and transmitting audio data through said data bus (12) by one of said plurality of terminal units (T1-T3) within an audio sample time interval that corresponds to the interval between said first synchronization signal and said second synchronization signal.
US07991013B2 Digital receiver for radio-frequency signals
A system and method for receiving radio frequency signals, comprising a plurality of analog signal couplers, for communicating a representation of a radio frequency signal; a respective analog to digital converter for each of said couplers, each having an output presenting a digital representation of the representation and an associated clock; a non-blocking switch matrix, receiving the plurality of outputs and associated clocks, and producing a plurality of regenerated outputs and associated regenerated clocks under selective control of a switch matrix signal; and a plurality of digital radio frequency signal processors, adapted to receive at least one regenerated output from the non-blocking switch matrix and associated regenerated clock.
US07990986B1 Method and system for identifying a mobile station to a content server
A gateway receives network presence information regarding a mobile station. The network presence information is based, at least in part, on status messages that a network access server, such as a packet data serving node (PDSN), sends, for example, to an accounting server. The network presence information identifies the mobile station, such as by Internet Protocol (IP) address, network access identifier (NAI), and/or mobile directory number (MDN). When the gateway receives a request from a mobile station to access a content server, e.g., an HTTP GET request, the gateway inserts identifying information, such as NAI and/or MDN, into the request to identify the mobile station to the content server.
US07990983B2 Modular interconnect structure
Some embodiments of the invention include an interconnect structure to transfer data among a plurality of devices. The interconnect structure includes a crossbar and a number of interconnect branches coupled to the crossbar. Each of the interconnect branches includes a number of connector circuits coupled in series to transfer data in a group of devices of the plurality of devices. The crossbar includes a number of connector circuits coupled in series to allow one group of devices from one interconnect branch to exchange data with another group of devices from another interconnect branch. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07990973B2 Hash functions for applications such as network address lookup
In one embodiment, IP lookup into a routing table having prefixes of different prefix lengths is performed by hashing a candidate prefix value to generate a plurality of hash values, where m seed hash values are generated by applying m seed hash functions and one or more additional hash values are generated by combining two or more of the seed hash values in different ways, e.g., using a bit-wise XOR function. The hash values are used to perform membership probes into a Bloom filter programmed with the prefixes corresponding to all of the different prefix lengths in the routing table without having to expand any of the prefixes programmed into the Bloom filter.
US07990964B2 System for message delivery to field personnel
System for message delivery to field personnel. The system includes a method for operating a server in a message delivery system. The method includes receiving a message for transmission to a recipient, and determining a message characteristic associated with the message. The method also includes obtaining contact information associated with the recipient based on the message characteristic, and transmitting the message to the recipient using a communication method indicated by the contact information.
US07990960B2 Globally routable user agent uniform resource identifier system and method
A system and method for concealing an identity by receiving a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message, the SIP message containing a field, the field containing a Globally Routable User Agent Uniform Resource Identifier (GRUU) identifying a node, the GRUU containing a public user identity (PUID), a ‘gr’ parameter, and a ‘gr’ parameter value; evaluating a subscription option; and in response to evaluating the subscription option, concealing an identity of the node by removing the ‘gr’ parameter and the ‘gr’ parameter value from the field.
US07990958B2 Method and apparatus for a four-way hash table
A number of hash tables are accessed concurrently with a different computed index based on a single search key for each hash table. Each index identifies a location in one of the hash tables capable of storing at least one entry. If all indexed locations are used, the entries stored in the lookup table can be reordered so that the new entry can be inserted in one of the locations identified by the computed indexes.
US07990947B2 Network watermark
A network communications method utilizing a network watermark for providing security in the communications includes creating a verifiable network communications path of nodes through a network for the transfer of information from a first end node to a second end node; verifying the network communications path of nodes, by the first end node, before communicating by the first end node information intended for receipt by the second end node; and once the network communications path of nodes is verified by the first end node, communicating by the first end node, via the verified communications path of nodes, the information intended for receipt by the second end node; wherein the network watermark represents the verifiable network communications path of nodes.
US07990946B2 Node apparatus and path setup method
A node apparatus includes: a control unit setting up a path; a path setup time measuring unit measuring path setup time required to set up the path; a path setup time reporting unit reporting the path setup time to another node apparatus on a communication network; a path setup time storage unit storing the path setup time measured at another node apparatus on the communication network when the measured path setup time is reported from the other node apparatus; and an alternate path determining unit determining a path based on the path setup time of each node apparatus stored in the setup time storage unit.
US07990917B2 Wireless communications system including an originator base station capable of notifying of channel resource reservation status
A wireless communications system including a network application server; and a base station to receive an expedited request packet from a subscriber unit by way of a radio frequency interface, attempt to reserve channel resources for a traffic channel to communicate with the subscriber unit, and notify the network application server of whether the channel resources have been reserved. The base station may notify the network application server by marking the expedited request packet received from the subscriber unit, and sending the marked expedited request packet to the network application server.
US07990915B2 Method of balancing wireless load and access controller
The present invention discloses a method of balancing wireless load and an Access Controller (AC). The method includes: receiving by an Access Controller (AC) an association request of joining an Access Port (AP) sent by a Station (STA); calculating wireless load of the AP that the STA requests to join; determining whether one or more preset conditions are met, if the one or more present conditions are met, accepting the association request sent by the STA; otherwise, rejecting the association request sent by the STA. In the present invention, when an AP's wireless load is too large, STAs can be distributed to other APs, thereby optimizing load balance in the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).
US07990901B2 Cell search scheduling in a wireless cellular communication network
A method performed by a mobile communication unit (10) when operating in stand-by mode in a wireless cellular communication network. The receiver is activated in periods of relatively short duration (τ0) to receive paging indicators (21) from the serving base station (20) and to receive identifying signals from the remote base station (30). After the first period a likelihood is assessed that a remote cell has been detected, and following the first period the receiver is activated in a second period of a duration (τ1) depending an the assessed likelihood. If a remote cell has likely been detected, the second duration is longer than the first duration. Most of its stand-by time the mobile terminal will not detect a new cell, and most of the periods with the receiver activated will therefore be of the short first duration, the Power consumption of the receiver will be correspondingly reduced, and the stand-by time is correspondingly increased.
US07990891B2 Method for organizing a network of communicating objects and communicating object for the implementation of the method
A system and method organize a network of communicating objects in at least one partition comprising a plurality of communication cells respectively covered by a plurality of leader nodes, the network having a set of allocatable addresses split into a plurality of address pools distributively managed by the leader nodes. Upon a new node arrival, phase (a) and possibly phase (b) are executed. During phase (a), if the new node detects a leader node, it allocates an address from its managed address pool and the new node assumes a member node roll in the leader node cell. If the new node does not detect any leader node in its vicinity, it goes on to the phase (b), wherein, if the new node detects a first cell member node, it assumes the role of leader covering a second cell, obtains an available pool of managed addresses and is allocated one of the obtained addresses.
US07990884B2 System and method for traversing metadata across multiple network domains at various layers of the protocol stack
An inter-networking system and method that provides for access control identifier (ACI) metadata utilization for the life of a session even on unknown networks being traversed, allowing for ACI metadata utilization, reutilization, and modification in both the send and receive paths (bi-directional), and allowing for metadata transport over network segments requiring that ACIs be embedded at different layers of the communications stack.
US07990881B2 Methods and devices for computing paths to assure the inter-domain transport of QoS sensitive information
Information can be transported over domains operated by different service providers at required Quality-of-Service (QoS) levels without disclosing inter- and/or intra-domain information to ensure that the topology of a given service provider's domain (e.g., network) is not disclosed.
US07990867B1 Pipeline for processing network packets
A pipeline is provided for processing network packets. The pipeline includes a look-ahead stage, an operation stage, an insert/remove stage, and an interleave stage. The look-ahead stage synchronizes two or more fields of a network packet. The operation stage modifies one or more of the fields of the network packet. The operation stage may modify state data and the fields of the network packet as a function of the state data and the fields. The insert/remove stage performs data insertion and removal at one or more fields of the network packet. The interleave stage ensures that the modified network packet follows rules for interleaving network packets. The look-ahead, operation, insert/remove, and interleave stages are generated from a textual language specification of the processing of the network packets by the pipeline.
US07990866B2 Server device, method for controlling a server device, and method for establishing a connection using the server device
When a connection is established between a client device and a server device, a first message requesting establishment of a downlink connection is transmitted from the client device to the server device, and a server device which has received the first message is caused to transmit to the client device a second message requesting establishment of an uplink connection. The client device which has received the second message is caused to transmit to the server device a third message acknowledging the second message and requesting establishment of the downlink connection. The server device which has received the third message is caused to establish the downlink connection based on the content of the third message.
US07990861B1 Session-based sequence checking
A device may include logic configured to receive a data unit intended for a destination device and to obtain information from the data unit. The logic may be configured to identify a window using the obtained information, where the window has a range determined by a lower boundary and an upper boundary. The logic may be configured to forward the data unit to the destination device when a portion of the data unit information is within the window.
US07990856B2 Method and apparatus for reflecting forwarding plane utilization in control plane
A method is provided that includes setting a first oversubscription factor of a control plane for an interface, measuring forwarding plane utilization on the interface, and calculating a second oversubscription factor of the control plane for the interface using the measured forwarding plane utilization as compared with a target forwarding plane utilization on the interface. The method also includes determining whether to update the first oversubscription factor based upon the calculated second oversubscription factor.
US07990842B2 Backward-compatible long training sequences for wireless communication networks
A network device for generating an expanded long training sequence with a minimal peak-to-average ratio. The network device includes a signal generating circuit for generating the expanded long training sequence. The network device also includes an Inverse Fourier Transform for processing the expanded long training sequence from the signal generating circuit and producing an optimal expanded long training sequence with a minimal peak-to-average ratio. The expanded long training sequence and the optimal expanded long training sequence are stored on more than 52 sub-carriers.
US07990840B2 Methods and apparatus for efficient digital broadcast signaling in a wireless communications system
First and second transmitters transmit signals communicating the same information, e.g., program segment, but at different times. Different carriers may, but need not be, used by the different transmitters. If a wireless terminal can not recover broadcast segment information from one carrier, the wireless terminal can switch to another transmitter and recover the information, e.g., on another carrier, since the broadcasts are intentionally offset in time. In some embodiments, the timing is offset such that a single channel receiver is able to recover signals corresponding to the same program segment from two sources, and perform a decoding and information recovery using input from both sources, where recovery using input from a single source is not possible. Symbol level timing synchronization of base stations is not required thereby allowing for simpler implementations and/or lower overhead, as compared to systems which require base stations to be synchronized to the symbol timing level.
US07990836B2 Optical pickup apparatus, focal-point adjusting method, and optical disc apparatus
An optical pickup apparatus is provided with an angle adjusting element. The angle adjusting element changes a propagation direction of luminous fluxes of four luminous flux regions set about an optical axis of the laser light, out of laser light reflected by a disc, and mutually disperses the luminous fluxes. A signal light region in which signal light only is present appears on a detecting surface of a photodetector. A sensor pattern for signal light is placed at a position irradiated with the signal light within this region. A sensor pattern for a coma aberration detection is placed on an inner side of this region.
US07990835B2 Optical pickup apparatus, focal-point adjusting method, and optical disc apparatus
An optical pickup apparatus is provided with an angle adjusting element. The angle adjusting element changes a propagation direction of luminous fluxes of four luminous flux regions set about an optical axis of the laser light, out of laser light reflected by a disc, and mutually disperses the luminous fluxes. A signal light region in which signal light only is present appears on a detecting surface of a photodetector. A sensor pattern for signal light is placed at a position irradiated with the signal light within this region. A sensor pattern for a spherical aberration detection is placed on an inner side of this region.
US07990831B2 Optical pickup device
An optical pickup device includes a first light source emitting first light with a first wavelength, a second light source emitting second light with a second wavelength, a third light source emitting third light with a third wavelength, an objective lens having a step structure, the objective lens being disposed to satisfy predetermined conditions, at least one first coupling lens making the first light and the second light incident onto the objective lens as converged light, a second coupling lens making the third light incident onto the objective lens as diverging light, and a liquid crystal aberration correcting element.
US07990830B2 Optical pickup, optical information recording apparatus and optical information recording and reproducing apparatus using the optical pickup
In holographic recording, it is important to form stably an interference fringe between a reference beam and a signal beam in a holographic storage medium. To suppress factors degrading stability of the interference fringe, such as fluctuation of atmospheric air, position displacement of optical components and the like during propagation of the reference and signal beams, an optical pickup and an optical information recording/reproducing apparatus adopt an optical system structure providing a higher proportion of optical components shared by the reference and signal beams optical path than conventional optical system structure. To increase the proportion of shared optical components, the signal beam and the reference beam pass through the PBS prism as parallel beams and a concave lens is placed on a reference beam path just before the objective lens.
US07990829B2 Optical recording method, optical recording apparatus, optical recording medium, and optical reproducing method
There are provided: an optical recording method containing a focus point controlling step, and an interference image recording step; an optical recording apparatus containing a focus point controlling unit, and an interference image recording unit; an optical recording medium recorded in accordance with the optical recording method; and an optical reproducing method reproducing a recorded information recorded in accordance with the optical recording method.
US07990823B2 Storage device and its drive startup method
The time required for starting up drives in a storage device mounted with both hard disk drives and solid state drives is shortened. A storage controller of the storage device identifies the type (HDD/SSD) of the mounted drives before starting up the drives. The storage controller thereafter performs staggered spinup to the HDDs in several batches. After the startup of HDDs is complete, the storage controller collectively starts up the SSDs. The storage controller determines the drive startup processing based on a pre-set drive startup policy such as reduction of the peak current reduction or shortening of the startup time, and the drive type identification result.
US07990819B2 Optical head apparatus and optical information apparatus
An optical head apparatus is made to be downsized while obtaining an sufficient driving force of an objective lens actuator. The optical head apparatus includes a first optical system including a first objective lens for focusing a light beam upon an optical disc; a second optical system including a second objective lens for focusing a light beam upon an optical disc having an information recording density smaller than the optical disc which the first optical system irradiates upon, the second objective lens having a numerical aperture smaller than the first objective lens; and an up-orienting prism including a first reflecting surface for deflecting a light beam to an optical axis of the first objective lens in the first optical system, and a second reflecting surface for deflecting a light beam to an optical axis of the second objective lens in the second optical system.
US07990818B2 Cascaded control of a pick-up head for multi-layer optical data storage
A system and method of controlling position of a pick-up head of an optical drive, including manipulating the position of the pick-up head as a primary variable in a cascade control scheme, and manipulating current flowing through the pick-up head as a secondary variable in the cascade control scheme.
US07990813B2 Optical pickup device
An optical pickup device includes a hosing having three walls connected together whose horizontal cross-section is substantially U-shaped. A first wall supports one end of a shaft, a second wall facing the first wall supports the other end of the shaft and a third wall connects the first and second walls. A lubricant tray is surrounded by the three walls and the shaft. By the shaft being attached to an end side surface of the lubricant tray, the shaft can be integrally formed with the housing. A radius of curvature or an angle formed on a horizontal cross-section of the three walls is larger than a radius of curvature or an angle formed between one of the three walls and the lubricant tray.
US07990812B2 Storage systems and methods for publishing device addresses
Storage systems and methods for publishing device addresses are disclosed. An exemplary method may include receiving addresses for a plurality of device objects in the storage system over an out-of-band path to each of the device objects. The method may also include storing the addresses for the plurality of device objects in the storage system. The method may also include returning the addresses for the plurality of device objects in the storage system over another out-of-band path to an interface manager for the storage system.
US07990808B2 Performing error-free access operation on multi-layered disc
A method of reproducing information recorded on an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers inclusive of a first recording layer and a second recording layer includes the steps of referring to an order of recording of the first recording layer and the second recording layer according to which information is recorded in a prerecorded area of the optical disc, and selecting a scan path in response to the order of recording, from a first scan path including no seek operation preceding a focus jump and a second scan path including a seek operation preceding a focus jump, to scan an optical spot from a first address in the first recording layer to a second address in the second recording layer through scanning along the prerecorded area in at least one of the first recording layer and the second recording layer.
US07990805B2 System and method for implementing non-lethal chemical warfare against rampage shooters
A system and method for implementing non-lethal chemical warfare against rampage shooters. A sound detection module detects a sound of a gunshot from at least one of a collection of sensors within a building. A sound location module determines a location of the gunshot by analyzing the sound. At least one emitter releases non-lethal chemical countermeasures from at least one at the location of the gunshot.
US07990803B2 Deployment and retrieval method for shallow water ocean bottom seismometers
The deployment method for deploying seismic data acquisition units into shallow water from the deck of a vessel provides for deploying a cable into the water. Seismic data acquisition units are moved from a storage location on the vessel to a position adjacent the cable. In one embodiment, a unit is accelerated to the approximate speed of the cable, at which point the unit is attached to the cable and released into the water. In another embodiment, cable deployment is interrupted while a unit is attached, after which, cable deployment is resumed.
US07990800B2 Circuit and method for controlling DRAM column-command address
The present invention provides a circuit for controlling a column-command address corresponding to a specific column of a DRAM array. The circuit includes a control unit and a FIFO register. The control unit determines a period number, and synchronously produces an input pointer and an output pointer, wherein the output pointer is lagged behind the input pointer by the period number. The FIFO register utilizes the input pointer to store the column-command address, and utilizes the output pointer to output the column-command address.
US07990797B2 State of health monitored flash backed dram module
A device includes: non-volatile memory; a controller in communication with the non-volatile memory, wherein the controller is programmed to move data from a volatile memory to the non-volatile memory upon a loss of power of a primary power source of the volatile memory; and a backup power supply providing temporary power to the controller and the volatile memory upon the loss of power of the primary power source, including: a capacitor bank with an output terminal; a connection to a voltage source that charges the capacitor bank to a normal operating voltage; and a state-of-health monitor that is programmed to generate a failure signal based on a voltage at the output terminal of the capacitor bank.
US07990788B2 Refresh characteristic testing circuit and method for testing refresh using the same
A refresh characteristic test circuit is provided, in a recessed semiconductor device, that is capable of verifying whether a refresh failure is caused by the neighbor/passing gate effect or not and a method for testing the refresh characteristic. The refresh characteristic test circuit includes a select signal generating unit for receiving first address signals and a test mode signal and generate select signals to select cell blocks, a main word line signal generating unit for receiving second address signals and the test mode signal and generate main word lines signals to select main word lines of the selected cell block, and a sub word line signal generating unit for receiving third address signals and the test mode signal and enable sub word lines of the selected main word line.
US07990783B1 Postamble timing for DDR memories
Circuits, methods, and apparatus that isolate an input register from spurious transitions on a DQS signal. One example receives an enable signal from a core. A logic circuit, which may be referred to as a one-half period circuit, shortens enable pulses at their front end by one-half a period. The shortened enable signal is passed to a storage element such as a register. Active pulses of the shortened enable signal clear the register, which provides a control signal closing a switch, such as an AND gate. The switch passes the DQS signal to the input register when closed and isolates the input register from the DQS signal when open. The shortened enable signal prevents the switch from opening early and passing spurious transitions on the DQS signal, for example during back-to-back non-consecutive read cycles.
US07990780B2 Multiple threshold voltage register file cell
A memory circuit may include a pair of cross-coupled inverters configured to store a bit of data and a first transistor coupled to a first node of the pair of cross-coupled inverters. A plurality of transistors that form the pair of inverters have a first nominal threshold voltage. The first transistor is coupled to a first bit line, and has a second nominal threshold voltage that is lower than the first nominal threshold voltage. The first transistor may be a write transistor and another write transistor having the second nominal threshold voltage is coupled to the other node of the pair of cross-coupled inverters. A register file may include a bit storage section that includes at least one pair of the cross-coupled inverters; a write transistor section and a read transistor section having the second nominal threshold voltage.
US07990771B2 Program method of flash memory device
A method of erasing and programming a flash memory device including multi-level cells (MLCs). MLCs of a word line are selected and some of the MLCs are pre-programmed based on whether their individual threshold voltages are included in a first voltage range. The selected MLCs are pre-programmed with a pre-program (first) voltage; and the remaining MLCs are prohibited from pre-programming; then the remaining MLCs connected to the selected word line are programmed by applying a program (second) voltage that gradually rises from the pre-program voltage at a ratio of a step voltage n for the selected line.
US07990765B2 Least significant bit page recovery method used in multi-level cell flash memory device
A Least Significant Bit (LSB) page recovery method used in a multi-level cell (MLC) flash memory device includes setting first through nth LSB page groups (n being a natural number that is larger than 2) comprising at least two LSB pages from among the LSB pages included in the MLC flash memory, programming the first through xth LSB pages (x is a natural number that is larger than 2) included in an ith LSB page group (i is a natural number that is smaller than n), generating and storing an ith LSB parity page for the first through xth LSB pages, programming first through xth MSB pages which correspond to one LSB page from among the first through xth LSB pages, and recovering a jth LSB page, which are paired with a jth MSB page, using the ith LSB parity page corresponding to the ith LSB page group, when a power supply to the MLC flash memory is stopped during the programming of the jth MSB page (j is a natural number that is smaller than x).
US07990764B2 Post-facto correction for cross coupling in a flash memory
A method of storing and reading data, using a memory that includes a plurality of cells (e.g. flash cells), such that data are stored in the cells by setting respective values of a physical parameter of the cells (e.g. threshold voltage) to be indicative of the data, and such that data are read from the cells by measuring those values. One of the cells and its neighbors are read. The data stored in the cell are estimated, based on the measurements and on respective extents to which the neighbors disturb the reading. Preferably, the method also includes determining those respective extents to which the neighbors disturb the reading, for example based on the measurements themselves.
US07990755B2 DRAM including pseudo negative word line
For increasing retention time in DRAM, pseudo negative word line scheme is realized such that voltage of a local bit line pair is always higher than that of an unselected word line for applying negative gate voltage, but selected word line is asserted to a pre-determined voltage. For implementing the scheme, swing voltage of the local bit line pair is limited by a write path connecting to a global bit line pair when writing, and the local bit line pair is also limited when reading, because selected local bit line is slightly changed with charge re-distribution and unselected local bit line is at floating state. For minimizing sensing current, a locking signal is generated to cut off a current path from the global bit line pair to a local sense amp. And various alternative circuits are described for implementing the pseudo negative word line scheme.
US07990754B2 Resistance variable memory apparatus
A resistance variable memory apparatus (100) of the present invention includes a current suppressing element (116) which is connected in series with each resistance variable layer (114) and whose threshold voltage is VF, and is configured to apply a first voltage V1 to a first wire (WL) associated with a selected nonvolatile memory element, apply a second voltage V2 to a second wire (BL) associated with the selected nonvolatile memory element, apply a third voltage V3 to a first wire (WL) which is not associated with the selected nonvolatile memory element and apply a fourth voltage V4 to a second wire (BL) which is not associated with the selected memory element when writing data or reading data, wherein V2≦V3
US07990752B2 Semiconductor memory
A semiconductor memory of an aspect of the present invention including a main bit line, a first and second sub-bit line, a first resistive memory element which has a first terminal being connected with the main bit line, a first select transistor which has one end of a first current path being connected with the second terminal of the first resistive memory element and the other end of the first current path being connected with the first sub-bit line, a second resistive memory element which has a third terminal being connected with the main bit line, and a second select transistor which has one end of a second current path being connected with the fourth terminal of the second resistive memory element and the other end of the second current path being connected with the second sub-bit line.
US07990748B2 Information holding method
In an information holding method according to the present invention, plural blocks are defined by an evenly sectioned surface of a sheet material in predefined positions, and predetermined information is expressed in the whole area of the sheet material by the presence/absence of information for each of the blocks.
US07990740B1 Method and apparatus for controlling power factor correction
In a method and apparatus for controlling power factor correction (PFC) in mixed operation modes, a frequency of the input voltage is obtained by detecting the zero crossing points of the input voltage. A peak of the input voltage is obtained by detecting input voltage with 90 degree phase. Thus, the present invention predicts the input voltage by its frequency and peak and the characteristic of the sine wave. A digital signal processor computes the duty and frequency of a boost switch, switching the operation mode of the boost converter among continuous mode, critical mode and discontinuous mode according to input voltage or the load. According to another aspect, the operation is switched to critical mode from the average current mode when a zero current is detected before the charging and recharging cycle of the boost switch is finished. Overcurrent protection may be achieved by controlling current in response to detected voltage to provide a substantially constant power level. The overcurrent protection may be adaptive in nature. In this aspect, an adaptive driver for a PFC controller reduces the slew rate of signals over the boost switch of the PFC controller. The adaptive driver may have a group of transistors which may be divided into a plurality of branches. The charging current through the boost switch may be increased by turning on an increasing number of branches until the voltage over the switch exceeds a reference voltage, and this may determine the number of branches to drive the boost switch during normal operation.
US07990736B2 Mounting apparatus for expansion card
A mounting apparatus is configured for securing an expansion card with a support portion, and includes a chassis with a plate, and a securing member pivotably secured on the plate. The plate defines an opening for the support portion of the expansion card inserting therethrough. A positioning portion is formed on the plate to locate the support portion of the expansion card. The positioning portion defines a locking hole therein. The securing member includes a bent portion and a locking portion to sandwich the support portion of the expansion card and the positioning portion of the plate therebetween. A locking block protrudes from the locking portion to engage in the locking hole of the positioning portion. The locking portion is resiliently deformable to disengage the locking block from the locking hole of the positioning portion.
US07990733B2 Mounting apparatus for PCI card
A mounting apparatus for a PCI card includes a mounting bracket, a mounting piece for attaching the PCI card to the mounting bracket, and a securing member. The mounting bracket has a base and a blocking plate bent from the base. The mounting piece includes an elongated body and a mounting end bent from the elongated body. The elongated body adjoins the base and the mounting end abuts on the blocking plate. The securing member includes a first pivoting portion pivotably attached to the mounting bracket, a pressing portion extending from the pivoting portion, and a securing portion extending from the pressing portion. The pressing portion elastically abuts against the mounting end, thereby sandwiching the mounting end between the blocking plate and the pressing portion. The securing portion is for driving the pressing portion to move away from the mounting end by handling the securing portion.
US07990732B2 Bracket and electronic device utilizing the bracket
A bracket is used for retaining an expansion card. The expansion card includes a slot cover. The bracket includes a top and a back and a retaining member. The top is perpendicular to the back. The back defines at least one expansion slot. The retaining member comprises an elongated body. The retaining member is pivotally attached to the top about a pivot axis. The pivot axis is substantially perpendicular to the back. The retaining member is capable of securing the slot cover to the mounting flange of the back at a locked position.
US07990726B2 Tray-type structure device
A tray-type structure device includes a side plate, a front plate attached to a forward end of the side plate, having the functions of opening and closing, and positioned on the front side of a housing, a top plate attached to an upper end of the side plate, with a plurality of openings formed therein, and having the function of variably setting a ventilation resistance, a bottom plate attached to a lower end of the side plate, with a plurality of openings formed therein, and having the function of variably setting a ventilation resistance, and a back plate attached to a rearward end of the side plate, having the functions of opening and closing, and positioned on a side of the housing toward a backboard. The device has a tray structure having a tray-like shape formed by the front plate, top plate, bottom plate, side plate and back plate.
US07990725B2 Modular storage system for storing a disk array
A modular storage system is provided for storing a disk array consisting of multiple hard disks. Each hard disk is provided with a terminal set. The modular storage system includes a casing having a plurality of disk compartments for receiving the hard disks respectively, a front end defining a front opening and a rear end defining a rear opening; a rear cover for covering the rear opening of the casing; and a plurality of connectors mounted on the rear cover via a coupling mechanism so that each of the connectors is aligned with a respective one of the disk compartments. Once the hard disks are installed respectively in the disk compartments, the terminal set of each of the hard disks is coupled electrically to a respective one of the connectors on the rear cover.
US07990721B2 Computer system with heat sink
A computer system includes a chassis, a motherboard, an isolation component, and a block. The chassis includes a bottom wall, and a sidewall connected to the bottom wall. The motherboard is secured to the chassis. A heat sink is secured to the motherboard for cooling a chip mounted on the motherboard. An isolation component is secured to the chassis between the bottom wall and the motherboard. The isolation component includes a bent piece attached to the side wall and positioned between the heat sink and the sidewall. A distance is defined between the bent piece and the heat sink. The block is attached to the bent piece and positioned between the heat sink and the sidewall to span the distance.
US07990720B2 Electronic system with heat dissipation structure
An electronic system such as a computer system includes a casing defining an opening at a side thereof, a motherboard arranged in the casing, a hard disk located at a side of the motherboard and a heat dissipation structure covering the opening of the casing. The motherboard includes a printed circuit board facing toward the opening of the casing, first electronic components and second electronic components mounted on the printed circuit board and facing toward the opening. The heat dissipation structure includes a base engaging with the casing and fins extending from the base and outside of the casing. The base includes a first engaging portion contacting the first and second electronic components and a second engaging portion contacting the hard disk. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are in different levels from each other.
US07990718B2 Heat dissipation device having a clip assembly
A heat dissipation device for removing heat from an electronic component mounted on a printed circuit board includes a heat sink, a wire clip and two operating members. The heat sink has a bottom for in contact with the electronic component. The wire clip includes a middle part spanning over the heat sink and two latching legs extending oppositely from two opposite ends of the middle part, respectively, the two latching legs being located in front of and in rear of the heat sink, respectively. Each operating member includes a plate cam placed on the heat sink and a handle extending laterally from the plate cam. The middle part of the wire clip extends through the plate cams and can be lifted away from the heat sink by turning the operating members from an unlocking state to a locking state.
US07990716B2 Heat sink structure and test head with same
A heat sink structure having an improved heat radiation efficiency is disclosed. The heat sink structure comprises a plate-shaped heat sink having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein through holes along a planar direction of a board are formed between the top surface and the bottom surface of the heat sink.
US07990715B2 Electrical assembly and fastening assembly thereof
An electric assembly includes a heat sink defining a through hole and a notch communicating with the through hole; a circuit board defining a fixing hole; and a fastening assembly. The fastening assembly includes a fastener comprising a stem, a head connected one end of the stem, and a clamp connected to an opposite end of the stem; a limiting member comprising a main body slideably disposed on the stem and a limiting portion extending from the main body, the main body received into the through hole, and the limiting portion engageably inserted into the notch; and an elastic member disposed around the stem and between the head and the main body. Wherein the limiting portion is capable of sliding out of the notch and against the heat sink to compress the elastic member.
US07990713B2 Heat dissipation device and method for manufacturing the same
A heat dissipation device for dissipating heat from an electronic component mounted on a printed circuit board, includes a fin unit, a centrifugal fan located adjacent to the fin unit, a heat-conducting board attached to the electronic component and a heat pipe thermally connecting the fin unit and the electronic component. An engaging portion protrudes upwardly from a top face of the heat-conducting board. The heat pipe has an evaporating section extending through the engaging portion and being fixed to the top face of the heat-conducting board, and a condensing section attached to the fin unit.
US07990705B2 Systems and methods for synthetic jet enhanced natural cooling
A method and system for increasing cooling of an enclosure is provided. The component enclosure includes one or more sidewalls defining a volume, the sidewalls are configured to substantially surround a heat generating component positioned within the volume. The component enclosure further includes a synthetic jet assembly positioned adjacent at least one of the sidewalls. The synthetic jet assembly includes at least one synthetic jet ejector having a jet port. The jet port is aligned at least one of perpendicularly, parallelly, and obliquely with a surface of the at least one sidewall. The synthetic jet assembly is configured to direct a jet of fluid through the port at least one of substantially parallel to the surface, perpendicularly onto the surface, and obliquely toward the surface.
US07990703B2 Electronic device with support legs
An electronic device includes a housing and two supporting mechanisms. The housing includes a base plate and two sloping slide portions. The sloping slide portions are formed at two adjacent corners of the base plate. Each sloping slide portion has a sloping plate being oblique to the base plate. Each supporting mechanism includes a support leg. Each of the support legs is slidably connected to the sloping plate. An altitude of each of the support legs relative to the base plate is capable of being changed when the support leg moves relative to the sloping plate.
US07990697B2 Mounting mechanism for storage device
A mounting mechanism for a storage device having at least one sliding member includes a bracket and a pressing member. The bracket includes a sidewall defining at least one opening for receiving said sliding member of the storage device. The pressing member attached to the sidewall of the bracket for sandwiching the storage device between a bottom surface of the pressing member and the bracket.
US07990694B2 Portable information processing apparatus
A portable information processing apparatus, includes: a body section configured to have an upper face on which a keyboard for inputting information is provided at least; and a display section configured to have an upper face on which a display member for displaying information is provided at least; the display section being mounted for sliding movement between a first position at which the display section is placed in an overlapping relationship at an upper portion of the body section and a second position at which the display section opens the upper portion of the body section, the display section being mounted for tilting up and down movements with respect to the body section when the display section is at the second position.
US07990683B2 High voltage solid electrolytic capacitors using conductive polymer slurries
A method for forming a capacitor including forming an anode from a valve metal; forming an oxide on the anode to form an anodized anode; dipping the anodized anode into a slurry of conductive polymer; drying the intrinsically conductive polymer; and providing external terminations in electrical contact with the anode and the conductive polymer.
US07990678B2 Semiconductor ceramic and multilayered-type semiconductor ceramic capacitor
A semiconductor ceramic has a mixing molar ratio m between the Sr site and the Ti site satisfying the relationship 1.000≦m<1.020, a donor element in an amount of 0.8 to 2.0 moles relative to 100 moles of the Ti element dissolved in the Sr site to form a solid solution, the donor element having a higher valency than the Sr element, a transition metal element, such as Mn, incorporated in an amount of 0.3 to 1.0 mole relative to 100 moles of the Ti element so as to be segregated in grain boundaries, and an average grain size of crystal grains is 1.0 μm or less. A component body in which semiconductor ceramic layers are stacked and internal electrodes 2 are embedded provides a SrTiO3-based grain boundary insulation type semiconductor ceramic having a high apparent relative dielectric constant of 5,000 or more even if the average grain size of crystal grains is decreased to 1 μm or less, and a semiconductor ceramic capacitor in which it is possible to achieve both a reduction in layer thickness and improvement in dielectric characteristics by using the SrTiO3-based grain boundary insulation type semiconductor ceramic.
US07990676B2 Density-conforming vertical plate capacitors exhibiting enhanced capacitance and methods of fabricating the same
Density-conforming vertical plate capacitors exhibiting enhanced capacitance and methods for fabricating density-conforming vertical plate capacitors exhibiting enhanced capacitance are provided. An embodiment of the density-conforming vertical plate capacitor comprises a first conductive interconnect and a second conductive interconnect. The second conductive interconnect overlies the first conductive interconnect and is substantially aligned with the first conductive interconnect. A via bar electrically couples the first conductive interconnect and the second conductive interconnect. The via bar has a width and a length that is larger than the width and contributes to the capacitance of the vertical plate capacitor.
US07990674B2 Load drive apparatus
A load drive apparatus is provided which comprises a switching element 3 connected in series to a DC power source Vcc and an electric load 4, a drive circuit 5 for generating control signals to turn switching element 3 on and off, a thermal detection element 6 for sensing a temperature of switching element 3, an overheat protective circuit 7 for generating an overheat detection signal when thermal detection element 6 senses the temperature of switching element 3 over a predetermined temperature level, and a disconnection detection circuit 11 provided with a current mirror circuit 12 connected between one and the other terminals of thermal detection element 6 for detecting a disconnection in wiring between thermal detection element 6 and overheat protective circuit 7. When overheat protective circuit 7 produces an overheat detection signal or when disconnection detection circuit 11 detects a breaking of wiring between thermal detection element 6 and overheat protective circuit 7, the control signal from drive circuit 5 is prohibited to be given to switching element 3. In case of disconnection in wiring between the thermal detection element 6 and overheat protective circuit 7, the load drive apparatus can prevent thermal damage to the switching element used therein.
US07990662B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus for superconducting magnetic shielding
A localized area is at least partially contained within a perimeter of a shield ring formed by a closed superconducting current path of a material that is superconductive below a critical temperature. The shield ring is at least partially within a perimeter of a compensation coil that is coupled to a current source. One or more measurement devices are responsive to magnetic fields in the vicinity of the localized area, allowing compensation by controlling current to the compensation coil. A heater can raise temperature of the shield ring out of a superconducting condition.
US07990660B2 Multiple CCP layers in magnetic read head devices
An improved CPP magnetic read device whose oxide barrier comprises at least two separate CCP layers is disclosed. These two CCP layers differ in the PIT and IAO treatments that they received relative to the PIT/IAO treatment that would be used when only a single CCP layer is formed.
US07990654B2 Perpendicular magnetic recording head
A perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a main magnetic pole layer and an auxiliary yoke layer that overlaps the main magnetic pole layer as viewed in a top view and is magnetically coupled to the main magnetic pole layer. The main magnetic pole layer includes a pole straight part exposed to an opposing surface opposite a recording medium, and a flared part that extends from the pole straight part in a height direction, the flared part broadening in a track width direction as the flared part extends in the height direction. The auxiliary yoke layer includes a flared part that extends from the recording medium-opposing surface, the flared part broadening in the track width direction as the flared part extends in the height direction. The flared part of the auxiliary yoke layer is disposed at a position located closer to the rear side in the height direction than the flared part of the main magnetic pole layer. The flared part of the main magnetic pole layer is formed at a flare angle greater than a flare angle of the auxiliary yoke layer.
US07990650B2 Reducing the obstruction of air flow through a bypass channel associated with a disk drive using an electrostatic pass-by filter
Embodiments of the present invention pertain to reducing the obstruction of air flow through a bypass channel associated with a disk drive. According to one embodiment, disk drive filtering system includes a selective filtering region, an electrostatic pass-by filter, and a filter free region. The selective filtering region is disposed within a bypass channel. The electrostatic pass-by filter is disposed within the selective filtering region and is used for filtering the air that flows through the selective filtering region. The filter free region is disposed proximate to the electrostatic pass-by filter so that a substantial portion of the air is allowed to flow unobstructed through the selective filtering region.
US07990649B2 Method and apparatus to set a wrap angle of a read/write head
A method is presented for setting a wrap angle of a read/write head having a servo element and multiple read elements, where the servo element and the read elements can detect a servo signal. The method includes moving a sequential information storage medium having a longitudinal axis and a servo band encoded therein adjacent to the read/write head. The longitudinal axis and a flat upper surface of the read write head define the wrap angle. The method further includes detecting the servo signal using one of the read elements. If the read element is unable to detect the servo signal, then the remaining read elements are sensed to detect the servo signal.
US07990648B1 Disk drive margining read channel using predictable disturbance samples generated as a function of a written pattern
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk having a plurality of tracks. A pattern is read from the disk to generate a read signal, and the read signal is sampled to generate read samples. Predictable disturbing samples are generated as a function of the pattern. The predictable disturbing samples are added to the read samples to generate disturbed samples, and a data sequence is detected from the disturbed samples.
US07990647B2 Thermally assisted recording head control means for protrusion management
Methods and structures for improving fly height control for thin film write heads utilized in thermally assisted recording are disclosed. Methods include the use of the TAR near field light source to provide a preheating pulse to improve the transient response when moving from one fly height to another prior to writing data. Methods and structures having an additional auxiliary optical heating source to avoid media overheating and replacement of embedded resistive heaters are also disclosed.
US07990646B2 Data pattern detection using adaptive search windows
Method and apparatus for detecting a reference pattern in a transmitted bit sequence. A duration of a search window used to detect the reference pattern is adaptively adjusted in relation to a previous detection of the pattern. This is preferably carried out by using a first search window to initially detect the pattern, and then adjusting the first search window to provide a second search window to subsequently detect the pattern. Preferably, the search window is an elapsed period of time during which a transducer is swept adjacent a storage medium to detect the reference pattern. Servo data are preferably written as a sequence of adjacent spiral servo patterns, and the reference pattern is preferably detected each time to determine the relative location of the most recently written spiral. Preferably, a larger search window is used for initial spirals and a smaller search window is used for subsequently written spirals.
US07990637B2 Autofocus lens module
An autofocus lens module includes a holder defining a space, a barrel positioned in the space of the holder, a first post extended from an outer surface of the barrel, a first spring connecting adjacent ends of the barrel and the holder such that the barrel is maintained in the holder, and a first piezoelectric actuator. The first piezoelectric actuator is fixed on an internal surface of the holder and capable of deforming along a central axis of the holder. The first piezoelectric actuator is coupled with the first post so as to move the barrel along the central axis of the holder.
US07990631B2 Lens drive device, spring member and manufacturing methods therefor
A lens drive device may include a movable body movable in an optical axis direction, a support body supporting the movable body through a spring member which may include spring pieces electrically separated from each other, formed with a coil connecting part to which one of a winding start part and a winding end part of the coil is electrically connected. The movable body is provided with an accommodating part for accommodating the coil connecting part. The spring member may include a plate spring-shaped arm part connecting a support body side fixing part with a movable body side fixing part and the arm part is provided with a laser cut portion formed by a laser in a part of an edge part of the arm part. An edge part of the arm part except the laser cut portion may be a cut portion formed by press working or etching processing.
US07990628B1 Planar flexure system with high pitch stiffness
A flexure system for miniature camera and the like is disclosed. The flexure system can include a frame and a stage that is configured to move with respect to the frame. One or more flexures can interconnect the frame and the stage. Each flexure can have one or more film hinges formed thereon. The film hinges can be widely spaced and/or extended in length so as to substantially mitigate undesirable pitching of the stage.
US07990622B2 Projection objective of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus
A projection objective of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprises a manipulator for reducing rotationally asymmetric image errors. The manipulator in turn contains a lens, an optical element and an interspace formed between the lens and the optical element, which can be filled with a liquid. At least one actuator acting exclusively on the lens is furthermore provided, which can generate a rotationally asymmetric deformation of the lens.
US07990608B2 Optical transmission system
An optical amplifier reducing gain deviation caused by wavelength arrangement has a first-stage optical amplifying unit, an attenuator, a second-stage optical amplifying unit, an automatic gain controller controlling the first- and second-stage optical amplifying units so that a gain of signal light outputted from the second-stage optical amplifying unit to signal light inputted to the first-stage optical amplifying unit is constant, and an attenuation amount controller controlling an attenuation amount at the attenuator to adjust gain-versus-wavelength characteristic at the automatic-gain-controlled first- and second-stage optical amplifying units on the basis of information on wavelength arrangement and an input level of the signal light inputted to the first-stage optical amplifying unit so that gain slope characteristic at the first- and second-stage optical amplifying units due to the wavelength arrangement and the input level is flattened.
US07990607B2 Solid-state light source based illumination apparatus and projection system having same
An exemplary illumination apparatus for use in a projection system includes a number of solid-state light sources and first non-imaging collection optics, a power coupler, an optical amplifier, and a second non-imaging collection optic. The solid-state light sources are configured to generate light of a predetermined wavelength. Each first non-imaging collection optic is configured to collect and transmit light from a respective solid-state light source to the power coupler. The power coupler is configured to combine light from the solid-state light sources. The optical amplifier is configured to amplify the combined light. The second non-imaging collection optic is configured to collect the amplified light to provide illumination.
US07990602B2 Display medium and display device
A display medium includes: a pair of substrates; an electrode arranged between the pair of substrates and on one substrate of the pair of substrates; a multilayered structure including plural color-forming layers arranged between one substrate of the pair of substrates and the electrode, each of the plural color-forming layers containing an electroconductive sheet-like porous body and an electrochromic dye which is retained by the porous body and is reversibly colored or decolored by at least one of an electrochemical oxidation reaction or a reduction reaction, and the colors when the electrochromic dyes in the respective plural color-forming layers are colored being different from one another; and an electrolytic material included in a region between the pair of substrates.
US07990601B2 System and method for display device with reinforcing substance
A package structure and method of packaging an interferometric modulator with a reinforcing substance to help support the integrity of the package. In some embodiments the reinforcing substance is a desiccant integrated into the backplate or the transparent substrate.
US07990596B2 Mirror device drive control apparatus and projector
A mirror device drive control apparatus adapted to perform drive control of a mirror device having a hysteresis characteristic, includes: a drive section adapted to drive the mirror device with a drive signal; a detection section adapted to detect a displacement of a movable section of the mirror device, and to generate and then output a detection signal corresponding to the detection; a control section adapted to perform control of a frequency of the drive signal so that the movable section is displaced in a predetermined range; and an abnormality detection section adapted to detect abnormal vibration of the movable section during the control by the control section, wherein the abnormality detection section detects, in response to change in frequency of the drive signal, a frequency of an envelope included in the abnormal vibration of the movable section as a beat frequency based on a detection signal of the detection section, and obtains a frequency of the drive signal for performing a restoration process of driving of the mirror device based on the frequency of the drive signal changed and the beat frequency.
US07990595B1 Optical multi-ring scanner
An optical multi-ring scanner is disclosed, which comprises: a substrate; an outer ring driving element, disposed inside the substrate and configured symmetrically at two sides thereof with a pair of first arms that are connected respectively to the substrate; at least one inner ring driving element, each configured with a first inner ring driver in a manner that the first inner ring driver has a pair of second arms symmetrically disposed at a top side and a bottom side thereof while being connected to the outer ring driving element; and a mirror element, disposed inside the first inner ring driver and having a pair of third arms symmetrically disposed at a top side of a bottom side thereof; wherein, the third arm is disposed coaxial with the second arm while enabling the first arm to be disposed perpendicular to the second arm and the third arm.
US07990593B2 Holographic storage material
The invention relates to holographic storage material (1) comprising at least one polymer film (3) and one metallic first layer (4) which is applied to the polymer film (3). In order to provide a storage material (1) having improved optical properties, a non-metallic second layer (5) and a metallic third layer (6) are provided. The second layer (5) is arranged between the first (4) and the third (6) layers. The total thickness of the first, second and third layers (4,5,6) is less than the wavelength of the radiation used for reading out.
US07990592B2 Methods and systems to produce consistent spot colors for multi-color print engines
This disclosure provides methods, systems and apparatus to manage spot colors for an image marking device. Specifically, disclosed is a spot color control method including selecting a gain matrix K from a plurality of gain matrices, the gain matrix K being selected to satisfy performance criteria associated with the rendering of the target spot color, the performance criteria including an acceptable spot color error associated with the rendered spot color relative to the target color, an acceptable actuator energy utilized to achieve the acceptable spot color error and a total toner/ink usage acceptable to render the spot color.
US07990584B2 Rod-shaped light guide and image reading device
A rod-shaped light guide reflects light incident on an end face thereof in the interior of the rod-shaped light guide and emits the light outside from a light emitting surface provided to extend in the longitudinal direction. The rod-shaped light guide includes: a scattering pattern surface provided to be opposite to the light emitting surface and operative to scatter the light incident on the end face; first and second lateral surfaces provided between the light emitting surface and the scattering pattern surface; and first and second projections provided to project from the first and second lateral surfaces, respectively, capture the light reflected by the light emitting surface, reflects the light toward the light emitting surface, and causes the light to be emitted outside from the light emitting surface.
US07990581B2 Image processing apparatus, control method for controlling the image processing apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium
With reference to any one of a plurality of images, the other images are moved by a distance greater than or equal to one pixel width in a main scanning direction and/or a sub-scanning direction. Then, the plurality of images are combined to form a composite image.
US07990578B2 Processing print jobs
Methods for processing print jobs include flagging, or not, to-be-printed objects having PDL-specified math or logic functions requiring hard processing operations, such as two or more inputs. The math or logic functions preferably reside in ink attributes of display list objects corresponding to the to-be-printed objects. To-be-printed pages of the print job become divided into bands. Bands with to-be-printed objects therein have band display lists constructed in the event the to-be-printed objects become flagged. On a band-by-band basis, if bands have band display lists flagged with hard processing operations, contone bands become constructed. The contone bands result from color information blending between overlapping pixels of to-be-printed objects or an object and a contone page. A contone page includes color information of the to-be-printed page in a first color space. To-be-printed objects are rendered in a second color space in device specific page(s) of memory.
US07990577B2 Dynamic early preparation of presentation objects for efficient printing
A command is provided as a means to instruct a printer to pre-rasterize and store presentation objects according to specified presentation parameters. The stored rasterized objects are available to the printer for use during printing when a print job is submitted to the printer which includes a presentation object already rasterized, saving significant processing at print time. The rasterized objects are stored with information identifying the object and the parameters used in the rasterization process and the printer is enabled to identify the appropriate rasterized object for inclusion in the print job. Objects may also be selected by a printer at print time as most closely matching the required parameters and then adjusted as needed at print time to completely conform with the requirements of inclusion in the job. This capability allows the printer to perform trimming-on-the-fly or other real-time operations while enjoying the time-saving benefits of a pre-rasterized object.
US07990572B2 Device adapted for adjustment of scan position of light beam
An optical scanning device 65 is adapted to bring a deflector mirror plane 651 into independent pivotal motions about a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to each other. A mirror driver section including a first axis driver and a second axis driver is so controlled as to bring the deflector mirror plane 651 into pivotal motion about the first axis thereby deflecting a light beam L for scanning along a main scan direction. On the other hand, the deflector mirror plane 651 is pivotally moved about the second axis thereby to adjust the scanned beam L for its position on a photosensitive member 2 with respect to a subscan direction. Thus, even if the scanned beam is deviated from a reference scan position with respect to the subscan direction due to component tolerances or assembly errors, such a deviation can be corrected.
US07990569B2 Speeding up remote copy operation by transmitting resolution-dependent print data via network if processing apparatus and output apparatus information match
An image processing apparatus includes a resolution-independent data generation unit which generates resolution-independent data, which does not depend on a resolution, from input data, a resolution-dependent data generation unit which generates resolution-dependent data, which depends on a resolution and is used to be rendered to bitmap data, from the generated resolution-independent data, a saving unit which saves the generated resolution-independent data and the generated resolution-dependent data, an apparatus information acquisition unit which acquires image output apparatus information associated with the image output apparatus, an apparatus information determination unit which determines whether or not the image output apparatus information matches image processing apparatus information associated with the image processing apparatus, and a data transmission unit which transmits the resolution-dependent data as the output data when it is determined that the image output apparatus information matches the image processing apparatus information.
US07990568B2 Apparatus and method for setting printing options using preview image
An apparatus and method are provided for setting a printing option using a preview image. Setting the printing option includes an image preview unit displaying a preview image corresponding to printing data and enabling the preview image to be manipulated for setting a printing setting, a control unit controlling printing of the preview image according to the printing setting of the manipulated preview image, and a printing option setting unit setting a printing option, wherein the control unit applies the printing setting of the preview image to the printing option of the printing option setting unit.
US07990561B2 Image processing server, image processing method, and computer readable storage medium
The present invention decides whether an OCR processing is necessary or not for a printing job by using a difference between text data extracted by performing the OCR processing on an image generated based on a previous printing job having been processed previously and text data extracted from text drawing command of the previous printing job having been processed previously. If the OCR processing is decided to be unnecessary, the text data extracted from the text drawing command of the printing job is registered in a database for retrieving an image data. If the OCR processing is decided to be necessary, text data extracted by performing OCR processing on the image data generated based on the drawing commands of the printing job and the text data extracted from the text drawing command of the printing job are registered in a database for retrieving an image data.
US07990552B2 Image forming system and method of controlling image forming apparatus
A trial mode in which the number of trials is limited can be set for a network printer function and a network scanner function of an image forming apparatus. Then, the use of one of the network printer function and network scanner function of the image forming apparatus for which the trial mode has been set is permitted in accordance with a use request from a user.
US07990537B2 Color-measuring method for body and color-measuring apparatus
A reference-color measurement step of obtaining a reference-color measurement value by measuring a spectroscopic-radiation luminance of a light being emitted from a reference-color portion in a measurement direction, or a tristimulus value thereof, using a light-source-color measuring instrument, without irradiating the reference-color portion with a light source for measurement, in a predetermined measurement environment, is disclosed. An objective-portion measurement step of obtaining an objective-portion measurement value by measuring a spectroscopic-radiation luminance of a light being emitted from a measurement-objective portion in the measurement direction, or a tristimulus value thereof, using the light-source-color measuring instrument, without irradiating the measurement-objective portion with a light source for measurement, in the measurement environment, is also disclosed.
US07990535B2 Surface state detecting apparatus
A surface inspection apparatus includes units illuminating repetitive patterns formed on a surface of a suspected substance and measuring a variation in an intensity of regular reflection light caused by a change in shapes of the repetitive patterns, units illuminating the repetitive patterns with linearly polarized light, setting an angle formed between a repetitive direction of the repetitive patterns and a direction of a plane of vibration of the linearly polarized light at a tilt angle, and measuring a variation in a polarized state of the regular reflection light caused by the change in the shapes of the repetitive patterns, and a unit detecting a defect of the repetitive patterns based on the variation in the intensity and the variation in the polarized state of the regular reflection light.
US07990529B2 Detection circuit and foreign matter inspection apparatus for semiconductor wafer
In a foreign matter inspection apparatus for a semiconductor wafer, a PMT which detects reflection light, an amplifier which amplifies a signal detected by the PMT and in which response characteristics of amplification are controlled by a control signal, an A/D converter which converts the signal amplified by the amplifier into a predetermined code and outputs the code, a control circuit which generates a control signal based on information of the semiconductor wafer having a correlation with the reflection light, and a data processing circuit which detects a foreign matter on the semiconductor wafer based on the code output from the A/D converter are provided.
US07990525B2 Flow cytometer and flow cytometry
In one embodiment of the present invention, a flow cytometer includes a plurality of optical sources, each of which illuminates an excitation beam at a predetermined frequency having a wavelength and a phase different from another; and a guide member for guiding the excitation beams into the same incident optical path to focus onto a dyed particle. According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible, without requiring introduction of the delay time, to detect a plurality of fluorescence excited at the cell particles labeled with a plurality of fluorescent labeling reagents, by a plurality of laser optical sources.
US07990523B2 Aiming telescope having a range finder
An aiming telescope has an optical axis and a line of sight. Turrets are provided for adjusting the direction of the line of sight. A range finder is structurally connected with the aiming telescope. The range finder has a light source for emitting an emitted measuring beam. The emitted measuring beam runs outside the aiming telescope. It has a direction coinciding essentially with the direction of the line of sight. A transmission is provided for automatically adjusting the direction of the emitted measuring beam when the direction of the line of sight is adjusted. The light source is pivotably mounted on the aiming telescope. The transmission acts between the aiming telescope and the light source.
US07990522B2 Dynamic compensation of chromatic point sensor intensity profile data selection
In a chromatic point sensor, distance measurements are based on a distance-indicating subset of intensity profile data, which is selected in a manner that varies with a determined peak position index coordinate (PPIC) of the profile data. The PPIC indexes the position a profile data peak. For profile data having a particular PPIC, the distance-indicating subset of the profile data is selected based on particular index-specific data-limiting parameters that are indexed with that same particular PPIC. In various embodiments, each set of index-specific data-limiting parameters indexed with a particular PPIC characterizes a distance-indicating subset of data that was used during distance calibration operations corresponding to profile data having that PPIC. Distance-indicating subsets of data may be compensated to be similar to a corresponding distance-indicating subset of data that was used during calibration operations, regardless of overall intensity variations and detector bias signal level variations.
US07990520B2 Microlithography illumination systems, components and methods
The disclosure relates to microlithography systems, such as EUV microlithography illumination systems, as well as related components, systems and methods.
US07990518B2 Immersion exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method
An immersion exposure apparatus that projects a pattern of an original onto a substrate via a projection optical system and a liquid, thereby exposing the substrate. A substrate stage mechanism includes a substrate stage to hold the substrate. An immersion unit supplies the liquid into a space between the substrate or the substrate stage and the projection optical system, and recovers the liquid from above the substrate or the substrate stage. A control unit controls the immersion unit to recover the liquid from above the substrate or the substrate stage, and then controls the substrate stage mechanism to move the substrate stage to a retreat position, in response to a shutoff request for requesting shutoff of electrical power supply to the substrate stage mechanism. The control unit executes, in response to the shutoff request, a special process according to a process being executed by the immersion exposure apparatus when the control unit has received the shutoff request, and then controls the immersion unit to recover the liquid from above the substrate stage.
US07990516B2 Immersion exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method with liquid detection apparatus
An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate by emitting exposure light thereto through a projection optical system and liquid, has a detection apparatus that detects whether the liquid is present on an object disposed lower than a front end of the projection optical system. Another detection apparatus has an emitting portion that emits detection light to an immersion area between the projection optical system and an object disposed on an image plane side thereof, and a light-receiving portion disposed at a predetermined position for the detection light; therein, at least one of size and shape of the immersion area is obtained based on light receiving results. The detection apparatus is used to detect the presence of liquid on such lower-disposed object, the state of the immersion area, or shape or contact angle of the liquid. Optimal measures are taken, based on detection results, for maintaining high exposure and measurement accuracies.
US07990504B2 Liquid crystal display and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display includes first and second thin film transistors, a pixel electrode including a first cutout and an inclination direction determining member and connected to the first thin film transistor, a direction controlling electrode connected to the second thin film transistor, a first storage electrode overlapping with the pixel electrode and the direction controlling electrode and applied with a first storage electrode signal having a first voltage, and second storage electrode overlapping with the direction controlling electrode to receive a second storage electrode signal having a second voltage that periodically changes.
US07990501B2 Transflective type LCD and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a transflective type LCD having a first substrate provided thereon with a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of signal lines which are substantially perpendicular to each other and a switching element arranged near each of intersections between said scanning lines and said signal lines, includes forming a reflection region having a reflection electrode film and a transmission region having a transparent electrode film in each pixel surrounded by said scanning lines and said signal lines, a liquid crystal being sandwiched at a gap between said first substrate and a second substrate which is arranged opposite to said first substrate, and forming an organic film having irregularities thereon below said reflection electrode film and said transparent electrode film to substantially the same film thickness.
US07990497B2 Active matrix type display device with different distances from pixel electrodes and gate lines
An active matrix type display device is disclosed, to reduce a fabrication cost, which comprises first to third gate lines arranged at one direction; first and second data lines arranged orthogonally to the first to third gate lines; a first pixel cell connected to the first gate line and the first data line; a second pixel cell connected to the first gate line and the second data line; a third pixel cell connected to the second gate line and the first data line; a fourth pixel cell connected to the second gate line and the second data line; a fifth pixel cell connected to the third gate line and the first data line; and a sixth pixel cell connected to the third gate line and the second data line, wherein the three predetermined pixel cells of displaying the different colors among the first to sixth pixel cells constitute a first unit pixel for displaying a first unit image; and the three other pixel cells except the pixel cells included in the first unit pixel constitute a second unit pixel for displaying a second unit image.
US07990486B2 Liquid crystal display panel with line defect repairing mechanism and repairing method thereof
An exemplary liquid crystal display panel (2) includes a plurality of gate lines (21), a plurality of data lines (22), a plurality of pixel regions, and a plurality of repair lines (24). Each pixel region is surrounded by two corresponding gate lines and two corresponding data lines, and each pixel region includes a pixel electrode (20). Each repair line is provided at a respective one of the pixel regions. Each repair line is a substantially rectangular-shaped ring, two opposite long sides of the ring are located at two opposite sides of a corresponding data line or a corresponding gate line between two corresponding adjacent pixel electrodes, two opposite short sides of the ring cross the corresponding data line or gate line, and the repair line is electrically isolated from the corresponding data line or gate line. A method for repairing the liquid crystal display panel is also provided.
US07990478B2 Information presentation apparatus and information presentation method
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information presentation apparatus including: video/audio signal input terminals to be connected to video/audio signal output terminals of a signal output apparatus; a receiving section that receives an apparatus information transmitted from a remote controller, the apparatus information being related to the signal output apparatus; a determination section that determines a compatible terminal combination among combinations of all the input terminals and all the output terminals based on the received apparatus information; and a presentation section that presents the determined compatible terminal combination.
US07990477B2 Method and device for detecting transitions in a video sequence, method and device for coding, computer program products and corresponding storage means
Method and apparatus for detecting transitions in a video sequence, which include detecting an abrupt transition including, for each image It−2k included in said video sequence and with a processing time rank t−2k: calculating a first distance D(It−k), between an image It−k and a reference image for said image It−k, which precedes said image It−k in the video sequence; calculating a second distance D(It−2k), between an image It−2k and a reference image for said image It−2k, which precedes said image It−2k in the video sequence; calculating a third distance D(It−3k), between an image It−3k and a reference image for said image It−3k, which precedes said image It−3k in the video sequence; calculating a criterion C′ indicating whether said second distance D(It−2k) is significantly greater than the largest of the first and third distances, D(It−k) and D(It−3k); deciding, according to said criterion C′, on the belonging of the image It−2k to an abrupt transition.
US07990476B2 System and method for detecting visual occlusion based on motion vector density
A method of processing image data, comprising providing image data configured to display a first frame comprising a plurality of blocks, each block having a motion vector indicative of a change of location of the block between the first frame and a successive second frame and determining a change in state of occlusion of a first block of the plurality of blocks by reference to motion vectors having a destination in the first block.
US07990475B1 Methods and apparatus for automated representative image selection
A system determines a plurality of frames. The plurality of frames is a subset of a set of frames comprising at least a portion of a video clip. The frames are candidates to represent the set of frames. The system calculates a motion vector for each of the frames within the plurality of frames. The motion vector indicates an amount of motion in each of the frames with respect to at least one other frame from the plurality of frames. The system assesses a strength value for each of the frames. The strength value indicates an assessment of pictorial quality of each of the frames. The system selects a representative frame from the plurality of frames based on the motion vector and strength value. The representative frame indicates a most favorable representation of the plurality of frames.
US07990474B2 Image correction circuit, image correction method and image display
An image correction circuit capable of easily achieving adaptive color correction on the basis of a luminance correction amount is provided. An image correction circuit includes: a luminance correction section for performing luminance correction on input image data; and a color correction section for performing adaptive color correction on input image data on the basis of the following formula (1): Cout∝Cin×[1+M×(ΔY/L)]  (1) where Cout represents a chrominance signal after color correction, Cin represents a chrominance signal before color correction, M represents an adaptive color correction magnitude which is a fixed positive value, ΔY represents the total amount of luminance correction by the luminance correction section, L represents a fixed positive value satisfying L<(Ymax/2), and Ymax represents maximum luminance of input image data.
US07990473B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program
An image processing apparatus that can display a predetermined content as a predetermined main screen or predetermined sub-screens includes a displaying unit operable to display a main-content on the main screen and sub-contents on the sub-screens; a detecting unit operable to detect characteristic amounts of the sub-contents displayed on the sub-screens; and a control unit operable to switch the display on the main screen based on the characteristic amounts of the sub-contents detected by the detecting unit.
US07990470B2 Image sensor module for camera device
An image sensor module includes a circuit board (20), an image sensor (10) and a supporting board (30). The circuit board has a plurality of circuits formed thereon. The image sensor is arranged on one side of the circuit board and is electrically connected to the circuit board. The circuit board defines at least one through opening (22) therein. The supporting board is arranged on an opposite side of the circuit board. A protrusion (31) extends outwardly from the supporting board through the at least one through opening of the circuit board. The image sensor is mounted on the protrusion.
US07990460B2 System and method for focusing a digital camera
A method of focusing a digital camera module with an image sensor including capturing an image of a test target with the digital camera module, determining a focus quality of the image with the image sensor, outputting a signal related to the focus quality of the image from the digital camera module to a focusing station external to the digital camera module, and determining whether a position of a lens from the image sensor within the digital camera module should be altered to improve a focus quality of subsequently captured images.
US07990459B2 Dust-proof filter unit, image pickup apparatus, and projection-type image display apparatus
The dust-proof filter unit includes: a dust-proof member including a transmission portion which can transmit a light flux for image, the dust-proof member being oppositely disposed to a solid image pickup device at a predetermined spacing therebetween; a first excitation unit for providing a vibration to the dust-proof member, the vibration being in a first direction in parallel with a predetermined plane; a second excitation unit for providing a vibration to the dust-proof member, the vibration being in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; a dust-proof filter driving portion for driving the first excitation unit and the second excitation unit; and a control circuit for controlling the dust-proof filter driving portion.
US07990448B2 Solid-state image pickup apparatus and method for driving the same
A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes pixels arranged in a matrix, each pixel converting incident light into an analog electrical signal and outputting the analog electrical signal; AD converters in correspondence with individual columns, each AD converter converting the analog electrical signal from a corresponding pixel into a digital signal and outputting the digital signal from an output terminal; register circuits in correspondence with the individual columns, each register circuit receiving at an input terminal the digital signal output from the output terminal of a corresponding AD converter and storing the digital signal; and connection units, each of which connects the output terminal of a corresponding AD converter for one column to the input terminal of a corresponding register circuit for a different column or to connect the output terminal of a corresponding register circuit for one column to the input terminal of a corresponding register circuit for a different column.
US07990445B2 Image sensor having differing wavelength filters
An image sensor includes filters formed over a portion of an array of photosensitive elements in a predetermined pattern. The pattern can be such that the exposure of a matrix (such as a 2-by-2 square of pixels) to light (such as blue light) is improved, while maintaining acceptable capability to capture light across the entire spectrum. The pattern can be such that two blue filters, one red, and one green filter is used by a 2-by-2 square matrix of pixels. The pattern can also include cyan, yellow, and magenta (CYM) filters.
US07990441B2 Image sensor having temperature sensor and driving method thereof
A method for driving an image sensor includes the steps of: sensing temperature from the image sensor; selecting a voltage level of a control signal in accordance with the sensed temperature; and detecting an image in response to the control signal having the selected voltage level. An image sensor comprises a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the image sensor and a pixel array configured to detect an image in response to a control signal, wherein the control signal varies in voltage level as a function of the sensed temperature.
US07990437B2 Color correction in CMOS image sensor
For color correction in an image sensor, an image sensor processing block generates a plurality of color correction parameters corresponding to a plurality of selected pixels of the image sensor for defining a plurality of areas of a sample image. In addition, a color correction value calculation block generates a respective color correction value corresponding to a given pixel from bilinear interpolation of a respective subset of the color correction parameters corresponding to a respective one of the areas including a respective location of the given pixel.
US07990426B2 Phase adjusting device and digital camera
The timing adjustment unit gives a phase adjustment instruction of the pulse to the imaging device so as to converge to an optimum phase of the pulse set based on the calculation results of the luminance level detecting unit and the variance calculating unit. Furthermore, the timing adjustment unit controls the imaging device so that an exposure state of the analog imaged signal is suited for a luminance level detection process by the luminance level detecting unit and the variance calculation process by the variance calculating unit.
US07990424B2 Imaging data processing device, imaging data processing method, and imaging element
A device is provided for taking high resolution still pictures while recording video without pausing video recording. Plural channels are provided for reaching pixel values from a CMOS sensor, and the output of each channel is input to a corresponding A/D conversion circuit. The channels are configured so that the pixels that are added together are read simultaneously. The data added by the pixel value adder is used as the video data for video recording. When a still picture is captured during video recording, the pixel data is stored in memory with capacity to store one frame, and is sequentially output from the image sensor as the still picture data.
US07990417B2 Targeted object pursuit system
A targeted object pursuit system comprising a first setting block, a second setting block, a recognition block, a first determination block, a second determination block, and a re-designation block is provided. The first setting block initially designates a partial area as a pursuit area. The second setting block designates the areas displaced from the pursuit area as candidate areas. The recognition block extracts a standard image and candidate images. The first determination block determines in which general direction the targeted object moves is the first or second general direction. Based on the determination made by the first determination block, the second determination block determines in which of the first, second, third, or fourth detailed direction the targeted object has moved. The re-designation block re-designates a candidate area as the new pursuit area.
US07990414B2 O/S application based multiple device access windowing display
A system and method for providing access to a video display for multiple devices. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise receiving, at a video display system, a first video data signal through a first data communication interface and a second video data signal through a second data communication interface. A processor module may process the first and second video data signals to generate video information of first and second display windows in a composite display. For example, the processor module may transform and translate video information to fit display windows. The processor module may, for example, generate an output video signal comprising information of the first window and information of the second window. Such a signal may, for example, be utilized to drive an output display showing the first and second windows. Various aspects may also provide method steps and apparatus for controlling aspects of the displayed windows.
US07990413B2 Camera sensor job selection method
Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate permitting a user to select one of a plurality of job setups stored in a camera sensor. The plurality of job setups can be pre-programmed into the sensor utilizing conventional methods. During sensor operation, a user can select a particular application, and a simple signal can be generated for transmission over existing input/output lines to the camera sensor, upon receipt of which the camera sensor can initiate the particular job setup associated with the signal. Job setup signals can be formatted in binary utilizing HIGH and LOW voltages or can be transmitted as a simple Morse Code message and/or integer value.
US07990404B2 Method for automatically detecting and switching video signals on a monitor
A method for automatically detecting and switching video signals on a monitor has steps of storing multiple menu groups in the monitor and executing a resolution identifying mode. Each menu group has multiple similarly public resolutions. The resolution identifying mode has acts of determining whether the video resolution of the video signal matches one of the resolutions in one of the menu groups and creating a launch menu to show all the resolutions in the menu group having the resolution matched to the video resolution of the video signal when the video resolution of the video signal matches one of the resolutions in one of the menu groups. Therefore, the method solves the problem of misapplying resolutions on the conventional monitor.
US07990384B2 Audio-visual selection process for the synthesis of photo-realistic talking-head animations
A system and method for generating photo-realistic talking-head animation from a text input utilizes an audio-visual unit selection process. The lip-synchronization is obtained by optimally selecting and concatenating variable-length video units of the mouth area. The unit selection process utilizes the acoustic data to determine the target costs for the candidate images and utilizes the visual data to determine the concatenation costs. The image database is prepared in a hierarchical fashion, including high-level features (such as a full 3D modeling of the head, geometric size and position of elements) and pixel-based, low-level features (such as a PCA-based metric for labeling the various feature bitmaps).
US07990383B1 Sequential browsing and visible representation of a user's watch list of stocks and market indices
A user's watch list comprising stocks and stock market indices is organized into a browsing sequence using a computer. The computer provides a sequential browsing feature to sequentially browse, in an order according to the browsing sequence, the stocks and the indices in the user's watch list. The computer provides a visible representation feature to display regions to visibly represent the stocks and the indices in the user's watch list. Each region is user-selectable, is bordered by a respective color that is based on a change in price of its represented one of the stocks and the indices, and has an interior color that is not based on the change in price. In response to a user selection of a region from a touch screen, the computer retrieves a chart associated with the respective one of the stocks and the indices in the user's watch list represented by the region.
US07990379B2 System and method for coronary segmentation and visualization
A method of coronary vessel segmentation and visualization includes providing a digitized coronary image, placing a plurality of seed points along an estimated centerline of a coronary vessel, selecting a seed point and constructing a cyclic graph around the seed point in a plane perpendicular to the centerline at the seed point, performing a multi-scale-mean shift filtering in the perpendicular plane to estimate image gradient values, detecting a vessel boundary using a minimum-mean-cycle optimization that minimizes a ratio of a cost of a cycle to a length of a cycle, constructing a sub-voxel accurate vessel boundary about a point on the centerline, and refining the location of the centerline point from the sub-voxel accurate boundary, where the steps of constructing a sub-voxel accurate vessel boundary and refining the centerline point location are repeated until convergence.
US07990375B2 Virtual view schematic editor
Embodiments of the present invention provide a virtual-view schematic editor for use in CAD systems. In response to a user request, the editor selects elements from a CAD database, determines the connectivity between the elements, and renders the elements on a single display. Virtual views may be created and stored for later re-use within the system.
US07990374B2 Apparatus and methods for haptic rendering using data in a graphics pipeline
The invention provides methods for leveraging data in the graphics pipeline of a 3D graphics application for use in a haptic rendering of a virtual environment. The invention provides methods for repurposing graphical information for haptic rendering. Thus, at least part of the work that would have been performed by a haptic rendering process to provide touch feedback to a user is obviated by work performed by the graphical rendering process.
US07990370B2 Display apparatus having a plurality of input terminals and method thereof
A display apparatus having a plurality of input terminals is provided. The display apparatus includes a plurality of input terminals, and an output unit for displaying on a screen a graphic image corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of input terminals. Graphic images corresponding to an arrangement of the plurality of input terminals provided in the display apparatus are displayed on a screen so that a user can easily determine a connection state of the external apparatus. A method for displaying a graphic image corresponding to an arrangement of the input terminals of a display apparatus is also provided.
US07990368B2 Method for calibrating coordinates of touch screen
A method for calibrating coordinates of a touch screen includes the steps of: providing a display panel, which includes display coordinates along a first axis and a first axis display coordinate; providing a capacitive sensor, which includes sensing electrodes disposed along the first axis and respectively corresponding to sensing coordinates, wherein capacitive sensor has a maximum sensing coordinate; detecting digital values corresponding to the sensing electrodes when the capacitive sensor is touched; multiplying the digital values by the sensing coordinates corresponding to the sensing electrodes to obtain a weighting value; dividing the weighting value by the maximum sensing coordinate to obtain an interpolated value; and multiplying the interpolated value by the first axis display coordinate to obtain a calibrated coordinate.
US07990366B2 Foot-operated input device
A foot operated data input pad has a plurality of foot-operated buttons that may be used to enter data, information, or instructions, including but not limited to numbers, symbols, words, or phrases, separately or in combination. In some embodiments, each button is preferably capable of entering different data values, preferably depending on the length of time that it is pressed or on the number of times that it is pressed in succession. A controller may be included to allow the user to control the computer's pointer, allowing the user to switch between data entry fields. In embodiments wherein a heel rest is provided on the housing of the pad, the rest may optionally serve as both a heel rest and a button/switch for sending an electric/electronic signal. An automated voice system, or other audible and/or visual indicator system, may help the user keep track of the data value as it changes and is entered. In alternative versions for input of instructions, single values, binary information, or for selection of items in a pull-down screen window, a pad may have two foot buttons provided adjacent a cursor controller, wherein the cursor controller and right and left click buttons are on an arc or on an angle so that the foot buttons are rearward on the housing relative to the cursor controller so that pivoting the foot to the right or left on the heel places the toe-end of the foot over each foot button for actuation.
US07990355B2 Liquid crystal display device with influences of offset voltages reduced
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first register, a second register, a gray scale voltage generator which outputs a plurality of gray scale voltages, a decoder which selects a gray scale voltage, and an amplifier including a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, and a fourth transistor. A first terminal of the first transistor and a first terminal of the second transistors are connected to a first voltage line, a first terminal of the third transistor and a first terminal of the fourth transistor are connected to a second voltage line, a second terminal of the first transistor is connected to a second terminal of the third transistor, and a second terminal of the second transistor is connected to a second terminal of the fourth transistor.
US07990351B2 Driving circuit for liquid crystal display device
A driving circuit for Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) device includes a unity-gain operation amplifier (OP amp), three switches, and two capacitors. The unity-gain OP amp buffers and carries a signal voltage on a transmission line. The first switch switches a connection between a noninverting terminal of the unity-gain OP amp and an input line of the signal voltage. One end of the second switch is connected to the input line of the signal voltage. One end of the third switch is connected to the noninverting terminal of the unity-gain OP amp. The first capacitor is connected between the other end of the third switch and the other end of the second switch. The second capacitor is connected between the other end of the first capacitor and the ground voltage terminal.
US07990350B2 Light emitting device, driving method for the same and electronic apparatus
It is a problem to provide a light-emitting device capable of obtaining a constant brightness without being affected by deterioration in an organic light-emitting layer or temperature change, and of making desired color display. The lowering in OLED brightness due to deterioration is reduced by causing the OLED to emit light while keeping constant the current flowing through the OLED instead of causing the OLED to emit light while keeping constant the OLED drive voltage. Namely, OLED brightness is controlled not by voltage but by current thereby preventing against the change in OLED brightness due to deterioration of OLED. Specifically, the drain current Id of a transistor for supplying a current to the OLED is controlled in a signal line drive circuit thereby keeping constant the drain current Id without relying upon the value of a load resistance.
US07990339B2 Deformable micromirror device
A micromirror device, which makes an image display with digital image data, comprises pixel elements each of which makes pulse width modulation for incident light depending on the deflection state of light and which are arranged in the form of a matrix. Each of the pixel elements has a mirror, and at least one memory cell comprising a transistor and a capacitor. In such a micromirror device, the total value of the propagation delay time of a ROW line, which connects all of transistors of memory cells arranged successively in a ROW direction, and the switching time of each transistor is smaller than the driving interval of the ROW line driven in the minimum display duration of the micromirror device.
US07990338B2 Electronic devices having complementary dual displays
Electronic devices having complementary dual displays are presented, the electronic devices including: a first display, wherein the first display is a refresh-based, high frame rate display; a first display controller for outputting an internal video signal to the first display; a second display, wherein the second display is a bistable, low frame rate display; and a second display controller for outputting the internal video signal to the second display. In some embodiments, the devices further include: a number of user input interfaces for receiving a user input, wherein the number of user input interfaces are configured to control the second display; and a user input controller for generating a control signal based on the user input, the user input controller in electronic communication with the number of user input interfaces and a processing unit of the electronic device.
US07990334B2 Radio wave transmission cover and method of manufacturing radio wave transmission cover
The present invention provides a radio wave transmission cover having superior design and radio wave transmissibility. The radio wave transmission cover includes a front side member (1), a rear side member (5) and a connection layer (6). The front side member (1) and the rear side member (5) are formed separately and are integrated with each other by the connection layer (6). Furthermore, the distance between the front side member (1) and the rear side member (5) in the front-to-rear direction ranges from 0.01 mm to 0.4 mm.
US07990332B1 Multi-directional receiving antenna array
Techniques for providing multi-directional receiving antenna arrays are described herein. The techniques may include selecting a location for an antenna array, generating a guide for one or more station signals for the location, including a station frequency and a station transmitter location, and generating an antenna array configuration from the guide. The techniques may further include attaching the antennas to the antenna array based on the antenna array configuration.
US07990331B2 Antenna coil to be mounted on a circuit board and antenna device
In an antenna coil including a first magnetic core, a second magnetic core, and a flexible board, coil conductors are provided on a surface of the flexible board. By winding the flexible board around the first magnetic core and the second magnetic core, a first coil portion is disposed around the first magnetic core, and a second coil portion is disposed around the second magnetic core. The winding direction of the second coil portion is opposite to that of the first coil portion. The first coil portion and the second coil portion are connected to define one coil as a whole.
US07990329B2 Dual staggered vertically polarized variable azimuth beamwidth antenna for wireless network
An antenna system for wireless networks having a dual stagger antenna array architecture is disclosed. The antenna array contains a number of driven radiator elements that are spatially arranged in two vertically aligned groups each having pivoting actuators so as to provide a controlled variation of the antenna array's azimuth radiation pattern.
US07990325B2 System and method for remote antenna positioning data acquisition
The present invention provides a remote antenna system employing digital imaging means by which the operator can view both the antenna pointing data and the coverage landscape from the antenna radome perspective. The present invention also provides a method for antenna positioning data acquisition and positioning control employing remotely acquired image data.
US07990314B2 Method and system for locating a geographical position using broadcast frequency modulation signals
A method and system for locating and positioning using broadcast frequency modulation (FM) signals, is provided. One implementation involves receiving FM stereo signals from three FM stations at one or more receivers, each stereo signal including a modulated 19 KHz FM pilot tone; and determining a geographical position at each receiver based on the phase difference of the demodulated pilot tones in the received FM signals.
US07990311B2 Adaptive clutter filter for maritime surface search radar
A time sequence of raw radar data for a region of space is subdivided into a plurality of processing frames. The processing frames are subdivided into a plurality of processing cells and iteratively processed by selecting a single processing cell for processing, transforming the radar data of the processing cell to form transformed radar data in either the time domain or the Fourier domain. The transformed data is converted to a Power Spectrum Density Matrix in the case of the Fourier domain and a Time Space Correlation Matrix in the case of the time domain. This is smoothed and thresholded and then the clutter for the processing cell is estimated. Estimated local non-speckle clutter is estimated and removed from the transformed radar data, with the cleaned transformed radar data converted back to the time domain if required.
US07990308B2 Mirror image target detection and recognition
There is disclosed a system and method for detecting targets. A transmitter may transmit a first inverse transform signal, the first inverse transform signal derived from a reference image of a first reference target at a first aspect angle. A receiver may receive a return signal reflected from a scene. A detector may determine, based on the return signal, if an object similar to the first target at the first aspect angle is detected within the scene.
US07990301B2 Analog to digital (A/D) conversion circuit having a low dynamic range A/D converter
A low-power, high-dynamic range, analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion circuit for converting an analog signal to a digital signal having a controllable amplifier for amplifying the analog signal received at an input of the amplifier in response to a first control signal and for generating an amplified analog signal, a low dynamic range A/D converter for converting the amplified analog signal to an intermediary digital signal, a controllable bit shift register for scaling the intermediary digital signal in response to a second control signal to generate the digital signal, and a gain control component (AGC) for generating the first control signal to cause the amplified analog signal to be within the dynamic range of the A/D converter and for generating the second control signal to cause the scaling to compensate for the amplification by the amplifier.
US07990294B2 Parallel-serial conversion circuit and data receiving system
A parallel-serial conversion circuit includes: a plurality of data terminals each receiving a data signal; a selection circuit configured to select at least one of the data signals received through the plurality of data terminals; a first latch circuit configured to latch an output from the selection circuit based on a clock signal; a replica selection circuit configured to select one of a plurality of signals and output the selected signal; and a timing-signal generating circuit configured to generate a timing signal for controlling the selection circuit based on the output from the replica selection circuit, wherein the output from the replica selection circuit is latched based on the clock signal.
US07990289B2 Combinatorial coding/decoding for electrical computers and digital data processing systems
Embodiments described herein may include example embodiments of a method, article and apparatus for compressing data utilizing combinatorial coding which may be used for communicating between two or more components connected to an interconnection medium (e.g., a bus) within a single computer or digital data processing system, and/or for communication between computing platforms via a network or other interconnection medium.
US07990286B2 Vehicle positioning system using location codes in passive tags
Vehicles driving on a roadway interrogate passive tags in or on lanes of the roadway. Codes in the tags represent locations along the highway and which lane the vehicle is traveling in. Units in the vehicles communicate longitudinal and lane positions derived from the codes among each other or with infrastructure units for purposes such as traffic management, alerts concerning other vehicles, alerts concerning external conditions, or traffic control. The units may also communicate vehicle lengths or other parameters or characteristics. Vehicle units may communicate with sensors and actuators in the vehicles for purposes such as updating the vehicles' positions between adjacent tags. Specific applications for intelligent transportation systems are described.
US07990281B2 Apparatus and method pertaining to a doorbell chime cover
A doorbell chime (100) can comprise a chassis (101), a cover (104) having a mechanical-cover identifier (105, 106), a mechanical-cover identifier detector (103) (to detect when the cover is at least substantially disposed in the installed position), and a chime (102) mounted in the chassis. This chime is configured to operate in a first mode of operation (302) when the mechanical-cover identifier detector detects the cover and in a second mode of operation (303) (that is different than the first mode of operation) when the mechanical-cover identifier detector does not detect the cover.
US07990276B2 Battery identification for battery packs with inter-cell taps
A battery charger comprises a first electrical contact that receives a positive contact of an attached battery pack; a second electrical contact that receives a negative contact of the attached battery pack; a plurality of inter-cell electrical contacts that selectively receive inter-cell contacts of the attached battery pack; a measurement module; and a control module. The inter-cell contacts of the attached battery pack are connected to nodes between cells of the attached battery pack.
US07990275B1 Fuel tank pressure indicator, including cap and container interface pressure indicator
A pressure indicator for a motor vehicle (or other) fuel tank, that will indicate when pressure at the cap/container interface or vapor pressure in the tank drops below a predetermined level, which will normally mean that the fuel cap is not tightly secured to the tank's opening. The cap/container interface or vapor pressure will be detected by sensors in a rubber gasket (either in the cap or in the tank's opening that the cap fits over) or in a washer for the fuel cap. When the sensors detect a pressure below the predetermined level, BLUE TOOTH (or other appropriate) technology will be used to send a signal to a receiver (preferably in a key ring attachment) that will cause a red light to flash (or other appropriate visual, audio or tactile notice). The light may also flash when the cap is temporarily removed for refueling.
US07990270B2 Transportation security system and associated methods
A security system for monitoring at least one shipping container being transported by at least one cargo transport vehicle has a Container Security Device (CSD) configured to be removably coupled to the at least one freight shipping container wall thereby utilizing for monitoring a cargo inside the container and detection of intrusion violations accompanied with partial destruction of the container wall when in a coupled condition. The CSD including at least one anti-tamper sensor, a microcontroller and a communication device; where the microcontroller generates an alarm signal based on a signal from at least one anti-tamper sensor is subjected to an individual sensor processing procedure and then to an integrated sensor processing procedure, the integrated sensor processing procedure make determination of the overall container alert status based on the alarm signal from at least one sensor. The system also has a Network Operations Center (NOC), the NOC including a NOC communications facility configured to communicate with at least one telecommunication network, the NOC being configured to receive data from each of the plurality of the CSDs and including a data storage medium configured to store sensor data and contained an archive of the container events.
US07990269B2 Method and operator control unit for configuring and monitoring a device with functional safety
The present invention relates to a method for configuring a safety sensor such as a light barrier, with parameters which can be set on an application-specific basis, wherein an operator control unit equipped with input means is provided, which operator control unit is connected to the safety sensor under automatic interface and sensor identification, and the parameters on an application-specific basis are set using the input means, wherein a feedback message of the set parameters is simultaneously and automatically displayed in a visualized manner on a display unit (10) of the operator control unit. The present invention further relates to a corresponding operator control unit and to a method for monitoring a safety sensor with parameters which can be set on an application-specific basis.
US07990266B2 Location- and direction-enhanced automatic reminders of appointments
An automatic appointment reminder system uses location and/or direction of travel of the reminder recipient relative to appointments to affect the time of sending of appointment reminders to the user, and thus enhances the user's ability to be on-time for appointments.
US07990259B2 Ignition key with recorded message
A vehicle ignition key includes a shank portion securely attached to a grip portion including a housing with an exterior housing surface. An actuation switch includes a switch contact surface complementary with the exterior housing surface, and is electrically coupled with a digital message controller and a power source. The housing defines a chamber which can hold the digital message controller, the power source, and/or a message generator. The message generator can transmit a message from the digital message controller. Actuation of the actuation switch upon rotation of the ignition key in the ignition switch is facilitated by the complementary surfaces, and initiates processing of stored data and transmission of the digitized data from the digital message controller to the message generator.
US07990248B2 Insulation alement and toroidal core throttle
A toroidal core choke includes a toroidal core and an insulating part. The insulating part includes a separating device for separating winding spaces on the toroidal core. The separating device includes a divider and a spacer on an end of the divider. A width of the divider is less than a width of the spacer.
US07990241B2 Encapsulated switches employing mercury substitute and methods of manufacture thereof
Encapsulated switches are disclosed which substitute non-toxic gallium alloy for mercury. In one embodiment, wetting of the interior surfaces of the housing is prevented by coating the surfaces with an electrically insulative inorganic non-metallic material, such as alumina or boron nitrate. According to another embodiment, a perfluorocarbon liquid is employed as the anti-wetting agent.
US07990238B2 Button system for industrial AC/DC relays
A button system for industrial AC/DC relays comprising a casing (10), a button (5), a driving block (7), an indication board (8) and a core propelling block (6), wherein the cover board (1) and the housing (2) fixed with each other, and at least an opening (11) for pulling the button (5) is arranged on the cover board; the button (5) is pivoted on the top of the casing (10) by the transverse shaft (51); the driving block (7) mounted in the casing (10), the end of the driving block (7) abut against the toughing portion (53) of the button (5); the indicator board (8) is pivoted in the casing (10), the upper portion of the indicator board (8) abut against the front end of the strip driving arm (71) of the driving block (7), and the lower portion is match with the core propelling block (6).
US07990237B2 System and method for improving performance of coplanar waveguide bends at mm-wave frequencies
An apparatus including a liquid crystal polymer substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, a coplanar waveguide formed on the top surface of the liquid crystal polymer substrate, the coplanar waveguide having a 90 degree bend with a mitered edge, an inner via positioned adjacent to an inner corner of the 90 degree bend, and an outer via positioned adjacent to the mitered edge of the 90 degree bend, the inner and outer vias positioned along a first plane that is perpendicular to a second plane defined by the mitered edge.
US07990229B2 Methods and devices for compensating a signal using resonators
Compensation of a signal using resonators as well as related methods and devices are described. Some embodiments include methods and devices for performing frequency compensation on a signal.
US07990216B2 Cross-coupled low noise amplifier for cellular applications
Cross-coupled low noise amplifier for cellular applications. A circuitry implementation that includes two pairs of metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) (either N-type of P-type) operates as an LNA, which can be used within any of a wide variety of communication devices. In one embodiment, this design is particularly adaptable to cellular telephone applications. A majority of the elements are integrated within the design and need not be implemented off-chip, and this can provide for a reduction in area required by the circuitry. A very high output impedance is provided by using two transistors (implemented in a triple well configuration) with resistive source degeneration. A higher than typical power supply voltage can be employed (if desired) to accommodate the voltage drops of the resistors and transistors.
US07990210B2 Amplifier, amplifying method, and filter
An amplifier is provided which includes: a first variable capacitance device of which capacitance is variable, a second variable capacitance device of which capacitance is variable, electrically connected to the first variable capacitance device, and of an inverse conductivity type from the first variable capacitance device, and a first input unit for selectively inputting a bias voltage and a voltage signal to the first variable capacitance device and the second variable capacitance device, wherein, in the event that the bias voltage and the voltage signal are input to the first variable capacitance device and the second variable capacitance device, the capacitance of the first variable capacitance device and the second variable capacitance device is taken as a first value, and wherein the voltage signal is amplified with the capacitance of the first variable capacitance device and the second variable capacitance device as a second value smaller than the first value.
US07990207B2 Constant voltage circuit, constant voltage supply system and constant voltage supply method
An input voltage signal VIN to be inputted to a gate terminal of a PMOS transistor M1 is converted to a voltage value which was level shifted at the source terminal by an inter-terminal voltage between the gate and source of the PMOS transistor M1. This conversion is carried out in accordance with a bias current I1 flowing from the constant current source IS through the source terminal of the PMOS transistor M1. The voltage thus converted is outputted from a source follower circuit through a capacitative element C1. A low-pass filter is constituted of the impedance of the PMOS transistor M1 and the capacitative element C1 in a signal path extending from the input voltage signal VIN to the source follower circuit.
US07990201B2 Constant phase digital attenuator with on-chip matching circuitry
Various embodiments are directed to providing constant phase digital attenuation. In one embodiment, a digital attenuator circuit (100) comprises an input node (102) to receive an input signal to be attenuated, an output node (104) to output an attenuated signal, a reference loss path (106) between the input node (102) and the output node (104), and an attenuation path (108) between the input node (102) and the output node (104). The reference loss path (106) comprises switching elements and matching circuitry to improve Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR), and the attenuation path (108) comprises switching elements and attenuating circuitry to attenuate the input signal when the digital attenuator circuit (100) is switched from a reference loss state to an attenuation state. An effective phase length of the reference loss path (106) and an effective phase length of the attenuation path (108) may be equalized to provide a constant phase when the digital attenuator circuit (100) is switched between states.
US07990200B2 Pulse width modulation control system
A PWM control system includes a multi-phase PWM controller and at least one single-phase PWM controller. The multi-phase PWM controller is capable of generating a multi-phase PWM signal. The at least one single-phase PWM controller is capable of generating a single-phase PWM signal. A phase difference between the single-phase PWM signal and the multi-phase signal is greater than 0 degree and less than 180 degree.
US07990196B2 Signal driver with first pulse boost
A driver boost signaling circuit provides a pulse boost to the first cycle of an output pulse wave applied to an associated load. The circuit includes a signal generator circuit generating a signal including a series of pulses, a determining circuit determining a high impedance state of a signal load line and a first one or more cycles of the series of pulses applied to the load line following the high impedance condition, and a receiving circuit receiving a control signal. A logic circuit generates first and second logical signals responsive to the control signal and to the determining circuit determining the first one or more cycles and other cycles of the series of pulses. A switchable impedance circuit coupling the signal generator with the associated load line is responsive to the first logical signal to provide a low impedance level between the signal generator circuit and the associated signal load line, and to the second logical signal to provide a high impedance level between the signal generator circuit and the associated signal load line.
US07990189B2 Power-up signal generating circuit and integrated circuit using the same
A power-up signal generating circuit includes a detecting unit configured to output a bias signal having a voltage level corresponding to an external power voltage in response to an internal voltage and a deep power down (DPD) signal; and a signal generating unit configured to generate a power-up signal having a logic level corresponding to the voltage level of the external power voltage in response to the DPD signal and the bias signal, wherein the internal voltage increases during an activation time of the power-up signal to reach a predetermined voltage level after a predetermined time, and maintains a ground voltage level during an inactivation period of the power-up signal.
US07990188B2 Clock buffer
An apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a first bipolar junction transistor (BJT) differential pair having a first BJT and a second BJT, a second BJT differential pair having a third BJT and a fourth BJT, a first clamp having a fifth BJT and a sixth BJT, and a second clamp having a seventh BJT and an eighth BJT. The collector and base of the third BJT are respectively coupled to the collector and base of the first BJT, and the collector and base of the fourth BJT are respectively coupled to the collector and base of the second BJT. The bases of first, second, third, and fourth BJTs receive an input clock signal. The emitters of the fifth and sixth BJTs are coupled to the collectors of the first and third BJTs, while the emitters of the seventh and eight BJTs are coupled to the collectors of the second and fourth BJTs. The bases of the fifth and seventh BJT are adapted to receive a low clamping voltage, and the bases of the sixth and eighth BJTs are adapted to receive a high clamping voltage. Additionally, the first and second clamps is coupled to the collectors of the first, second, third, and fourth BJTs.
US07990182B2 Electrical physical layer activity detector
A low-current differential signal activity detector circuit may be configured to reject large common mode signals on differential input lines, while still detecting smaller differential signals applied to the same set of differential input lines. The detector circuit may comprise a translinear buffer that is driven at the buffer input and at the buffer output by the differential input signals. The differential signal thereby driving the inputs of the detector circuit may be half-wave rectified through the buffer output devices and may be filtered to provide the detected output. When applying a common mode signal, the buffer's input and output may track each other, and no current may be rectified in the output devices, thus providing common-mode signal rejection. The detector circuit may also be configured with two buffers having their outputs coupled to a common node, each buffer input driven by a respective one of the differential input signals. The differential signal thereby driving the inputs of the detector circuit may be fully rectified through the output devices of the two buffers, and may be filtered to provide the detected output. The two buffers may be configured in a symmetrical structure that allows for the rejection of common-mode signals when the outputs of the buffers are coupled to a common node.
US07990178B2 Driving circuit with impedence calibration
A driving circuit includes at least a driving unit. The driving circuit includes a first bias component, a second bias component, and four metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistors. The first bias component has a first node coupled to a first reference voltage and a second node for outputting a first bias current. The second bias component has a first node for draining a second bias current and a second node coupled to a second reference voltage different from the first reference voltage. Each of the MOS transistors has a control node for receiving one of input signal pairs, a node coupled to one of the bias components and another node coupled to one of the output ports of the driving circuit. The four MOS transistors are of a same conductive type.
US07990175B2 Output buffer circuit and integrated circuit including same
An output buffer circuit includes a control unit and an output driver. The control unit generates a control signal in response to a mode signal applied from an internal circuit. The output driver selectively performs a driver operation, a termination operation or an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection operation in response to the control signal.
US07990166B2 Testing module for testing key buttons of portable electronic device
A testing module is provided including a driving assembly, a positioning assembly and a testing head mechanism. The positioning assembly positions the driving assembly and the testing head mechanism therein. The positioning assembly includes a positioning member. The positioning member includes a base seat. The base seat defines a receiving cavity. The testing head mechanism includes a cushioning mechanism accommodated in the receiving cavity and driven by the driving assembly to move relative to the positioning assembly.
US07990162B2 Systems and methods for an open circuit current limiter
A resistance measuring circuit includes a current generating component, a current control component, and a voltage measurement component. The magnitude of a target resistance can be measured by connecting the target resistance between first and second measurement terminals of the resistance measuring circuit, applying a current generated by the current generating component to the target resistance, and determining the voltage across the target resistance. When no target resistance is connected between the first and second measurement terminals, the current control component controls the current generating component to reduce current consumption of the resistance measuring circuit.
US07990160B2 Capacitive sensing with combinatorial sensor layout
In a method for determining capacitance, a set of sensor electrodes is employed. The set of sensor electrodes comprises at least three sensor electrodes including first, second, and third sensor electrodes. The first sensor electrode meets the second sensor electrode at a first activation region of a plurality of activation regions. The first sensor electrode meets the third sensor at a second activation region of the plurality of activation regions. The second sensor electrode meets the third sensor electrode at a third activation region of the plurality of activation regions. The third sensor electrode transmits while first indicia are received with the first and the second sensor electrodes. The first sensor electrode transmits while second indicia are received with the second sensor electrode. Capacitances associated with the first, second and third activation regions are determined using at least the first indicia and second indicia.
US07990153B2 Compensated directional resistivity measurements
A method for making directional resistivity measurements includes sequentially transmitting first and second axial and transverse electromagnetic waves in a borehole and receiving substantially pure axial and transverse components of each of the transmitted waves. A composite ratio of the received components is computed and may be utilized as an indicator of various formation parameters. The invention advantageously provides for the acquisition of compensated directional resistivity measurements.
US07990148B2 Cooled NMR probe head and NMR analyzer
An object of the present invention is to provide a cooled NMR probe including an antenna coil and capable of decreasing an operation temperature of the antenna coil by effectively cooling the antenna coil, thereby increasing detection sensitivity of an NMR signal. To attain this, a probe head according to the present invention includes a coil support member which supports the antenna coil, and a cooling member arranged around at least a portion of the coil support member, the cooling member providing a cooling space between the cooling member and the coil support member, the cooling space allowing a refrigerant to circulate therethrough. The cooling member is coupled to the coil support member such that the refrigerant flowing in the cooling space directly contacts an outer peripheral surface of the coil support member.
US07990147B2 System and method for electrically contacting local coils with a signal processor remote therefrom in a magnetic resonance scanner
In a contacting system and method for contacting magnetic resonance local coils with a unit for additional signal processing of a magnetic resonance data acquisition unit, a number of coil coupler elements are electrically connected with the magnetic resonance local coils and apparatus coupler elements are mounted at the magnetic resonance tomograph, and are electrically connected with a unit for signal processing. The coil coupler elements and the apparatus coupler elements are fashioned so that, given a movement of the local coils along a movement path in the magnetic resonance data acquisition unit, a successive contacting of at least a portion of the coil coupler elements with apparatus coupler elements ensues at least over a specific path segment of the movement.
US07990146B2 Birdcage-like transmitting antenna for MRI
A transmission antenna for magnetic resonance applications has a birdcage-like structure that includes antenna rods proceeding between first and second terminating elements respectively located at opposite ends of the antenna rods. A detuning circuit is located at the second terminating element. Either the second terminating element is formed as a completely continuous short circuit ring and the detuning circuit is arranged between the ends of the antenna rods and the second terminating element, or the second terminating element has a number of ferrule segments, between which the detuning circuit is arranged. The second terminating element has a larger cross-section than a the first terminating element.
US07990142B2 MRI apparatus generating deformed binomial pulse waveforms based on flip angle
An MRI apparatus has a waveform setting unit, an applying control unit, a reconstructing unit, and a display control unit. The waveform setting unit sets an asymmetric RF pulse Waveform. The applying control unit controls an application of a pulse in accordance with the RF pulse waveform. The reconstructing unit reconstructs an image based on a signal received by the application. The display control unit controls a display of the image.
US07990141B2 Streamlined diagnostic MR imaging requiring only three control parameters of operator selected boundary conditions
In a method for operation of a magnetic resonance system, at least one control device is fashioned for image data acquisition and corresponding components, and only three first control parameters defining primary boundary conditions are selected by an operator of the system, namely the contrast response, the spatial orientation of the at least one image data set to be acquired and the examination organ. Additional, second control parameters, required to control the components for image acquisition and defining secondary boundary conditions, are automatically determined by the control device using the first control parameters.
US07990140B2 MRI apparatus
A flip-angle calculating unit calculates a flip angle of a fat-suppression pulse by inputting scanning parameters read from a scanning-parameter storage unit based on scanning conditions set by a scan-condition setting unit and a desired fat-suppression level, into a predetermined computing program. A control unit suppresses fat signals to a desired level by performing irradiation of a fat-suppression pulse having the calculated flip angle and application of a spoiler gradient magnetic field onto a scan target portion of a subject by controlling a gradient magnetic-field generating unit and a transmitting-receiving unit, and further performs irradiation of an RF pulse and application of a gradient magnetic field in accordance with a predetermined pulse sequence, thereby detecting water signals and suppressed fat signals as MR signals. An image-data creating unit creates image data by reconstructing the MR signals.
US07990139B2 Two-axis geo-magnetic field sensor with elimination of eefect of external offset magnetic fields
Disclosed is a small-sized two-axis magnetic field sensor having a function to cause a magnetic field canceling an external offset magnetic field. The two-axis magnetic field sensor contains a plane coil disposed on a plane and four sets of magneto-resistance element pairs on a plane parallel to the plane coil. The plane coil includes at least two pairs of parallel conductors, and two magneto-resistance elements cross only a single conductor of the coil. A current for canceling the external offset magnetic field is determined in advance, and while a DC current that causes total magnetic fields of biasing magnetic fields plus a magnetic field for canceling the external offset magnetic field flows through the coil, intermediate potential outputs from the magneto-resistance element pairs are detected to measure a magnetic field direction, such as geo-magnetism.
US07990138B2 Probe for analysis of a string of rods or tubes in a well
The invention concerns a probe for analysis of a collection of rods or tubes comprising an elongated casing which bears, at a first end, at least one first magnetometer and, at a position sufficiently remote from the magnetometer, a permanent magnet, the north-south axis of which is perpendicular to the axis of the rods.
US07990135B2 Apparatus and method for detecting position of magnetic element
An exemplary apparatus for detecting whether a magnetic element is mounted at a correct position on a retaining member is provided. The apparatus includes a holder, a magnetoresistive sensor, and a processor. The magnetoresistive sensor is held by the holder and capable of sensing a present magnetic flux from the magnetic element to the magnetoresistive sensor. The processor is electrically connected to the magnetoresistive sensor and has a predetermined reference magnetic flux stored information therein, configured for obtaining the present magnetic flux and comparing the present magnetic flux with the reference magnetic flux information, thereby detecting whether a magnetic element is mounted at a correct position on a retaining member.
US07990115B2 High frequency generator without rotating diode rectifier
A high frequency starter-generator system uses an electric machine design that does not employ rotating rectifiers installed on the rotor. The output frequency of such a starter-generator is increased by about 200% as compared with a conventional starter-generator with the same number of poles operating in the same speed range. This design allows significant weight and volume reductions of the electric machine while its reliability is increased. The present invention may find application in any starter-generator application, including more electric architecture-type aircraft designs currently in development.
US07990114B2 Overload control of an electric power generation system
A control system for an electrical power generation system (EPGS) provides overload protection without disconnecting a generator of the EPGS from an excessive electrical load. Available engine power and current levels of the electrical load are continuously measured. A command voltage is calculated that corresponds to a voltage required to sustain with the maximum available power. Output voltage of a generator of the EPGS is controlled at the calculated command voltage so that a power limit of the engine is not exceeded during electrical overload conditions.
US07990100B2 Battery control device and hybrid forklift truck equipped with the device
A hybrid forklift truck is provided with an engine, a battery-driven motor generator, and a battery control device that prevents excessive exhaustion or charging of the battery. The state of charge (SOC) of the battery is determined from the battery voltage and SOC when battery current is zero for at least a predetermined time period and from the battery voltage, current and SOC when discharge current is constant for at least a predetermined time period. SOC is revised whenever battery current is zero or constant for at least the predetermined time period, and SOC at any point of time in operation of the forklift truck is estimated by integrating battery current from the SOC revision and subtracting the integrated current from the revised SOC. Drive power of the engine and motor generator are allocated according to a relationship between permissible discharge and charge current and SOC of the battery.
US07990088B2 Motor control apparatus
At an initial drive operation after turning on of an electric power source, an ECU sequentially changes each current exciting phase among multiple phases through one complete cycle at a predetermined time schedule, so that a rotational position of a rotor and the corresponding exciting phase coincide with each other at some timing during the initial drive operation, and thereby the rotor is rotated. The ECU counts the A-phase signal and the B-phase signal during the rotation of the rotor in the initial drive operation and learns a relationship among a count value of the A-phase signal and the B-phase signal, a rotational position of the rotor and each exciting one of the plurality of phases at an end of the initial drive operation. When the ECU determines that a result of the learning is erroneous, the ECU re-executes the learning by re-executing the initial drive operation.
US07990085B2 Generator control unit
An object of the present invention is to provide a generator control unit having improved voltage response in a system which is not provided with a battery in a DC output unit.In order to control the DC voltage of the DC voltage output terminal in a state where an electric load is connected to the DC voltage output terminal of a power generation unit, a PWM signal generation unit 429 generates a field voltage to be applied to a field winding terminal of the power generation unit. A feedback control unit 422 calculates a field voltage command value to be given to the PWM signal generation unit 429. Further, the feedback control unit 422 includes a PT control unit 423 which calculates a voltage deviation between a DC voltage detection value and a DC voltage command value to generate the field voltage command value through a PI operation based on the voltage deviation. The feedback control unit 422 includes compensation units 424 and 425 which generate a field voltage command value after compensating the output of the PT control unit 423 for the voltage deviation based on input/output transfer characteristics of the generator from the field voltage to the DC voltage.
US07990075B2 High intensity discharge lamp lighting device and lighting fixture
In order to optimally control power outputted from a high intensity discharge lamp lighting device for a difference among loads connected thereto, such as a difference in gas components contained in arc tubes and a difference in shape of the arc tubes individually in a plurality of discharge lamps 11, plural kinds of output power characteristics W1, W2 and W3 as data tables of lamp voltage-lamp power are provided for a rating lamp voltage range of each of the high intensity discharge lamps 1 and a lamp voltage range lower than the rating lamp voltage range, there is provided minimum lamp voltage detecting means 7 for allowing predetermined power to be outputted in an event of starting the high intensity discharge lamp 11, and detecting a minimum lamp voltage Vmin after the high intensity discharge lamp shifts to an arc discharge, and in response to that the detected minimum lamp voltage Vmin enters any range of a plurality of preset voltage ranges A, B and C, any of the data tables W1, W2 and W3 of the lamp voltage-lamp power, which correspond to the voltage ranges A, B and C, respectively, is selected.
US07990058B2 Top-emitting OLED device with light-scattering layer and color-conversion
A top-emitting OLED device, comprising: one or more OLEDs formed on a substrate; a light-scattering layer formed over the one or more OLEDs; a transparent cover; one or more color filters formed on the transparent cover; a color-conversion material layer formed over the color filters, or formed over or integral with the light-scattering layer; wherein the substrate is aligned and affixed to the transparent cover so that the locations of the color filters and color conversion material correspond to the location of the OLEDs, and the color-conversion material layer, color filters, and the light-scattering layer are between the cover and substrate, and a low-index gap is formed between the light-scattering layer and the color filters, with no light-scattering layer being positioned between the color conversion material layer and the low-index gap, wherein the color-conversion material layer is formed integrally with the light-scattering layer.
US07990053B2 Cyclopentaphenanthrene-based compound and organic electroluminescent device using the same
Provided are a cyclopentaphenanthrene-based compound and an organic EL device using the same. The cyclopentaphenanthrene-based compound is easy to prepare and excellent in solubility, color purity, and color stability. The cyclopentaphenanthrene-based compound is useful as a material for forming an organic layer, in particular, a light-emitting layer in an organic EL device, and as an organic dye or an electronic material such as a nonlinear optical material.
US07990042B2 Field emission display
A field emission device includes a transparent plate, an insulating substrate, one or more grids located on the insulating substrate. Each grid includes a first, second, third and fourth electrode down-leads and a pixel unit. The first, second, third and fourth electrode down-leads are located on the periphery of the grid. The first and the second electrode down-leads are parallel to each other. The third and the fourth electrode down-leads are parallel to each other. The pixel unit includes a phosphor layer, a first electrode, a second electrode and at least one electron emitter. The first electrode and the second electrode are separately located. The first electrode is electrically connected to the first electrode down-lead, and the second electrode is electrically connected to the third electrode down-lead. The phosphor layer is located on the corresponding first electrode.
US07990023B2 Arrangement with a coated piezoelectric actuator
An arrangement is proposed for forming a piezoelectric actuator, which has at least one piezoelectric element that in each case consists of a multi-layer structure of piezoelectric-layers, wherein internal electrodes arranged between the piezoelectric-layers in the direction of the build-up of the layers of the piezoelectric element, have an electrical voltage of different polarity alternately applied to them. Around the piezoelectric element, or in the case of multiple piezoelectric elements positioned in series in the activation direction, around the piezoelectric elements, and at least partially around the actuator head and the actuator foot there is arranged a covering system made from at least one layer of an insulating material. The at least one layer encloses the joints between the piezoelectric element or elements and the actuator head and the actuator foot, forming a seal.
US07990010B2 Small motor of polygonal external shape
A side wall of a motor casing is formed into a polygonal shape such that flat side portions and corner portions located at respective corners between the side portions are continuously joined together. A field magnet, which has an outer circumferential shape approximately coinciding with the inner circumferential shape of the motor casing, has magnet side portions and magnet corner portions, and has a rib provided on outer circumferential surfaces of the magnet side portions. The magnet is disposed, through press-fitting, within the motor casing such that at least the rib comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the motor casing, wherein the magnet side portions, excluding the rib, are formed such that small clearances are formed between the magnet side portions and the side portions of the motor casing.
US07990008B2 Electric rotating machine having detachable moving stator drive unit
The electric rotating machine includes a fixed stator fixed to the inner circumferential side of a housing, a moving stator rotatably supported on the inner circumferential side of the housing, a rotor disposed concentrically on the inner circumferential side of the fixed stator and the moving stator, and a moving stator drive formed of a gear and a motor for rotating the moving stator by a predetermined angle. The moving stator drive is detachable with respect to the housing. Coil leader lines are stored in an internal part of the housing so that the moving stator is capable of rotating by a predetermined angle.
US07990007B2 Apparatus for transferring torque magnetically
An apparatus for transferring torque magnetically with a primary rotary member and a secondary rotary member. The primary rotary member has permanent magnets mounted circumferentially on a cylinder, the secondary rotary member having a cylindrical geometry with electroconductive material arranged on its outer periphery and parallel to the axes of the rotary members. The secondary rotary member also having magnetically permeable material. The secondary rotary member is placed partially or totally inside the primary rotating member. The secondary rotary member's axial position relative to the primary rotating member can be varied by a suitable mechanical structure. This causes the two rotary members to axially overlap one another more or less as desired. Rotation of the primary rotary member causes rotation of the secondary rotary member, since magnetic flux lines emanating from the permanent magnets mounted on the primary rotating member, cut through all, or part of, the electroconductive material placed on the periphery of the secondary rotary member. This can vary the torque transmitted between the two rotary members, thereby enabling the varying of the rotational speed of the secondary rotary member relative to the primary rotary member.
US07990004B2 Reduction drive device
A reduction drive device is compact, hardly causes an electric motor thereof to vibrate, and has improved noise/vibration controllability. The reduction drive device includes the electric motor attached to a casing and capable of outputting torque, first and second reduction mechanisms supported by the casing, to reduce and transmit the rotational output of the electric motor, and a rear differential supported by the casing, to distribute the rotational output reduced by the first and second reduction mechanisms to a pair of axle shafts. Rotor, stator, and brush of the electric motor partly overlap the rear differential when seen in a rotation radius direction.
US07990003B2 Telescopic actuator
A telescopic actuator includes a motor having a rotation shaft, a reduction gear which decelerates an output rotation of the rotation shaft, a feed screw mechanism having a male screw member and a female screw member which are relatively rotated by an output rotation of the reduction gear, a first housing accommodating the motor, and a second housing accommodating the reduction gear and the feed screw mechanism. The first housing and the second housing are detachably attached.
US07990002B2 Vibration motor
A vibration motor includes a rotary shaft, an armature core secured to the rotary shaft and having a plurality of salient poles, an armature coil wound around each of the salient poles except at least one salient pole, a frame serving as an outside cover, a plurality of magnets secured to the frame and having respective different polarities, and a weight adapted to rotate together with the rotary shaft and disposed eccentrically, wherein the weight is disposed inside the frame and secured to the armature core in such a manner that at least a part of the weight is inserted in a hollow provided in at least the one salient pole having no armature coil.
US07989995B2 Cap and seal for windshield wiper drive for vehicles
A windshield wiper drive (1) is provided for the output shaft (4) with a protective cap (15) across a longitudinal region. The protective cap (15) is supported between the terminal supports thereof against the drive shaft (4) and the drive housing (2) of the windshield wiper drive (1) in relation to the output shaft (4) via a supporting bearing (20).
US07989993B1 Magnet yoke of linear motor
A magnet yoke of a linear motor includes a plurality of recesses set in equidistance in a side surface of the magnet yoke and defining a plurality of peaks and valleys arranged alternately and a plurality of permanent magnets aligned abreast in equidistance in an opposite side surface of the magnet yoke so that an interval is defined between two adjacent permanent magnets and has a center aligned with a center of a corresponding peak and valley. Two adjacent permanent magnets form a magnet unit for generating a magnetic flux distribution. An empty section formed in each of the valleys is twice as wide as an interval between two adjacent permanent magnets, and is located in a middle of the two permanent magnets so as to make a moderate magnetic flux distribution.
US07989991B2 Linear actuator
A linear actuator is provided with an armature and a stator. The armature has at least two stacks of permanently magnetic rods one over another, the stacks being arranged at a predetermined distance from each other. The stator is at least partly produced from a soft magnetic material, and comprises at least two pairs of teeth with teeth opposite each other, each pair of teeth receiving one of the two stacks between them while forming an air gap. The stator has at least two magnetically conducting inner areas which are located between the two stacks and arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in the direction of motion of the armature. The inner areas are each at least partially surrounded by a substantially hollow cylindrical coil arrangement, the central longitudinal axis of which is oriented substantially transversely to the direction of motion of the armature.
US07989989B2 Circuit having a micro crush capacitor
A start-up circuit having a micro crush capacitor that is operatable with a small pressure. The crush capacitor may be connected to a silicon controlled rectifier or similar device. Applying the pressure to the crush capacitor may turn on the SCR which may in turn activate a sensor. The circuit may be fabricated on a flexible substrate which together may be regarded as a flexible circuit. The flexible circuit may be held down on a back plate with a form plate clamping the circuit at its perimeter edge. The flexible circuit may be held firm with the plates for component insertion and/or circuit testing.
US07989987B2 Photon initiated marxed modulators
The features of this invention allow construction and operation of a variety of high voltage, high repetition rated pulse generators of the Marx type that are switched with photon initiated semiconductor switches of the closing type. The photon initiated semiconductor switches can be constructed with bulk materials or in layered devices such as thyristors. Variations on the invention permit the formation of shaped high voltage pulses; particularly those that are nearly rectangular: with controlled rise and fall times, minimal or no overshoot, and minimal voltage ripple.
US07989984B2 Underwater substation
An underwater substation pod (USP) adapted to collect and process the electrical outputs of an array of offshore power generating devices includes a voltage boosting transformer for combining and transmitting with increased efficiency an amplified version of the collected electrical outputs to an on shore facility. Combining the outputs and transmitting at a higher voltage reduces transmission losses and the number of cables required to transmit the electrical outputs. The USP is mounted on the seabed but operated at atmospheric pressure to accommodate standard components. The pod may be designed to include remotely controlled operation and to have a long service life since few, if any, moving parts are used. Also, the equipment may be designed to have a high degree of redundancy to provide greater reliability.
US07989971B2 Electrical energy generator
An electrical energy generator that converts kinetic energy harvested from voluntary motor activity of a human or animal to electrical energy. The electrical energy generator includes a housing, a coil of electrically conductive material, a reciprocally movable electromagnetically active mass, springs connecting the mass to either the housing or to adjustment means engaged with said housing, and, optionally, means for constraining non-linear motion of the electromagnetically active mass, and/or means of mitigating motion retardation of the electromagnetically active mass within any existing housing atmosphere. The electrical energy generator may be associated with a carried item, such as a backpack.
US07989967B2 High-contrast laser mark on substrate surfaces
As part of a first configured laser operation, a smooth, more reflective marking area is formed at a surface of a substrate (e.g., integral heat spreader, or IHS). In a second configured laser operation, a mark is formed at the surface of the substrate within the marking area. The mark contrasts strongly with the reflective surface of the substrate in the marking area. As a result, the mark may be read with an optoelectronic imaging system with a higher rate of reliability than marks disposed at a substrate surface having a microtopographical profile with greater variation from a nominal surface plane. An IHS with a mark so disposed provides benefits when include as a portion of an integrated circuit package, which in turn provides benefits when included as a portion of an electronic system.
US07989955B2 Semiconductor device, electronic device, and method of producing semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first insulating film that includes a first opening reaching a substrate and that is provided on the substrate, a second insulating film that includes a second opening reaching the substrate through the first opening of the first insulating film and that covers the first insulating film, and a conductive pattern that is provided on the second insulating film so as to be in contact with the substrate through the second opening of the second insulating film.
US07989952B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device having macro circuit including a plurality of fine interconnections, an extension interconnection wider than the fine interconnections, having a first end connected to one or more of the fine interconnections and a second end located in an area of the semiconductor device external to the macro circuit, and one or more of the fine interconnections widened towards the connection to the extension wiring interconnection. The extension interconnection is formed in the same layer as one or more of the interconnections connected to the extension interconnection.
US07989950B2 Integrated circuit packaging system having a cavity
An integrated circuit packaging system includes: attaching a carrier, having a carrier top side and a carrier bottom side, and an interconnect without an active device attached to the carrier bottom side; and forming a first encapsulation, having a cavity, around the interconnect over the carrier top side with the interconnect partially exposed from the first encapsulation and with the carrier top side partially exposed with the cavity.
US07989940B2 System and method for increasing the number of IO-s on a ball grid package by wire bond stacking of same size packages through apertures
A multi-layer electronic package having polymeric tape layers, where at least one of the polymeric tape layers has a via, through hole, or aperture therein to pass wiring between the layers. This enables a balance of package size, adhesive thickness, chip access, inventory management, package width, JEDEC ball out, and die exposure. The polymeric tape layers have surface circuits (e.g., leads, pads, and wiring) located on the surface.
US07989936B2 Microelectronic device with integrated energy source
An apparatus including an electronic device having a plurality of substantially collocated components, the plurality of components including an antenna, an energy supply and an integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit chip is electrically coupled to the antenna and the energy supply. A material substantially encloses the electronic device.
US07989935B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device having a voltage regulator is disclosed that does not have an external output condenser for phase compensation. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip that includes a voltage regulator, a power supply input terminal, a ground terminal, and an output terminal for outputting a produced constant voltage; and a phase compensation condenser that is connected between the output terminal and the ground terminal for phase compensation of the voltage regulator. The semiconductor chip and the phase compensation condenser are accommodated in a single package.
US07989930B2 Semiconductor package
A semiconductor package includes a leadframe defining a die pad, a chip electrically coupled to the die pad, encapsulation material covering the chip and the die pad, and a plurality of lead ends exposed relative to the encapsulation material and configured for electrical communication with the chip, and a nitrogen-containing hydrocarbon coating disposed over at least the lead ends of the leadframe, where the hydrocarbon coating is free of metal particles.
US07989921B2 Soi vertical bipolar power component
An SOI device comprises an isolation trench defining a vertical drift zone, a buried insulating layer to which the isolation trench extends, and an electrode region for emitting charge carriers that is formed adjacent to the insulating layer and that is in contact with the drift zone. The electrode region comprises first strip-shaped portions having a first type of doping and second strip-shaped portions having a second type of doping that is inverse to the first type of doping. A first sidewall doping of the first type of doping is provided at a first sidewall of the isolation trench and a second sidewall doping of the second type of doping is provided at a second sidewall of the isolation trench. The first strip-shaped portions are in contact with the first sidewall doping and the second strip-shaped portions are in contact with the second sidewall doping.
US07989919B2 Capacitor arrangement and method for making same
One or more embodiments relate to a semiconductor chip including a capacitor arrangement, the capacitor arrangement comprising: a first capacitor; and a second capacitor stacked above the first capacitor, the first capacitor and the second capacitor coupled in series between a first metallization level and a second metallization level adjacent the first metallization level.
US07989908B2 Image sensor and method for manufacturing the same
Provided is an image sensor. The image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate, photodiode structures, color filters, and microlenses. The semiconductor substrate includes a first region having pixel regions and a second region around the first region. The pixel regions are arranged in a matrix configuration. Each of the photodiode structures has a photodiode in each of the pixel regions. The color filters are disposed on or over the photodiode structures, the color filters correspond to the pixel regions, respectively, and have different areas corresponding to incident angles of light.
US07989907B2 Backside-illuminated solid-state image pickup device
Provided is a backside-illuminated solid-state image pickup device capable of allowing peripheral circuits to produce stable waveforms and thereby achieving image characteristics with less noise, the device including: a first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer having a first principal surface and a second principal surface opposed to the first principal surface and also having a pixel area and an analog circuit area; a first P type area formed to lie between the second principal surface and the first principal surface in the analog circuit area; a metal layer formed at least partially on the second principal surface of the first P type area; a VSS electrode electrically connected to the metal layer; a photo-conversion area formed in the pixel area and used to accumulate electric charges generated by photoelectric conversion; and a microlens provided on the second principal surface in the pixel area so as to correspond to the photo-conversion area.
US07989903B2 Semiconductor device with extension structure and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor region, a source region, a drain region, a source extension region a drain extension region, a first gate insulation film, a second gate insulation film, and a gate electrode. The source region, drain region, source extension region and drain extension region are formed in a surface portion of the semiconductor region. The first gate insulation film is formed on the semiconductor region between the source extension region and the drain extension region. The first gate insulation film is formed of a silicon oxide film or a silicon oxynitride film having a nitrogen concentration of 15 atomic % or less. The second gate insulation film is formed on the first gate insulation film and contains nitrogen at a concentration of between 20 atomic % and 57 atomic %. The gate electrode is formed on the second gate insulation film.
US07989898B2 Method for fabricating a dual workfunction semiconductor device and the device made thereof
A dual workfunction semiconductor device and a device made thereof is disclosed. In one aspect, the device includes a first gate stack in a first region and a second gate stack in a second region. The first gate stack has a first effective workfunction, and the second gate stack has a second effective workfunction different from the first effective workfunction. The first gate stack includes a first gate dielectric capping layer, a gate dielectric host layer, a first metal gate electrode layer, a barrier metal gate electrode, a second gate dielectric capping layer, and a second metal gate electrode. The second gate stack includes a gate dielectric host layer, a first metal gate electrode, a second gate dielectric capping layer, and a second metal gate electrode.
US07989897B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first MISFET and a second MISFET which are formed over a semiconductor substrate and have the same conductive type. The first MISFET has a first gate insulating film arranged over the semiconductor substrate, a first gate electrode arranged over the first gate insulating film, and a first source region and a first drain region. The second MISFET has a second gate insulating film arranged over the semiconductor substrate, a second gate electrode arranged over the second gate insulating film, and a second source region and a second drain region. The first and the second gate electrode are electrically coupled, the first and the second source region are electrically coupled, and the first and the second drain region are electrically coupled. Accordingly, the first and the second MISFET are coupled in parallel. In addition, threshold voltages are different between the first and the second MISFET.
US07989877B2 Semiconductor devices including a dielectric layer
A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a doped hafnium oxide layer disposed on the substrate, the doped hafnium oxide layer including a hafnium oxide layer doped with doping atoms and having tetragonal unit lattices, an ion size of the doping atom being greater than an ion size of a hafnium atom.
US07989875B2 BiCMOS integration of multiple-times-programmable non-volatile memories
A BiCMOS substrate includes a bipolar area having a buried carrier layer, and a deep trench isolation (DTI) trench extending into the buried carrier layer to form a surface well implant above a buried well implant within the DTI trench, the buried well implant being the buried carrier layer portion within the DTI trench. A floating gate is disposed on the carrier well. Optionally, a high voltage control gate is formed of a stack of the buried well implant and the surface well implant within the DTI trench. Optionally, a poly layer formed of a bipolar process base poly layer is disposed on the floating gate. Optionally, a shallow well isolation region is formed on the substrate, a floating gate is disposed on the shallow well region, and an overlaying control gate, formed of a bipolar process base poly, is disposed above the floating gate.
US07989874B2 Nonvolatile memory device and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention discloses a nonvolatile memory device which can improve the data storage capacity without increasing the surface area of the device, and a method for manufacturing the same. The nonvolatile memory device comprises: a gate of a stack type structure formed on an active region of a semiconductor substrate; a source/drain formed in the substrate at both sides of the gate of the stack type structure; an interlayer insulating film formed on the substrate where the source/drain is formed and covering the gate of the stack type structure; a contact connected to the source/drain through the interlayer insulating film; a plurality of conductive patterns formed in the interlayer insulating film of the region not adjacent to the contact; and an electrode pad formed on the conductive patterns.
US07989860B2 Image sensor and method for manufacturing the same
An image sensor includes a circuitry, a substrate, an electrical junction region, a high concentration first conduction type region, and a photodiode. The circuitry includes a transistor and is formed on and/or over the substrate. The electrical junction region is formed in one side of the transistor. The high concentration first conduction type region is formed on and/or over the electrical junction region. The photodiode is formed over the circuitry.
US07989851B2 Multifunctional biosensor based on ZnO nanostructures
The present invention provides the multifunctional biological and biochemical sensor technology based on the integration of ZnO nanotips with bulk acoustic wave (BAW) devices, particularly, quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and thin film bulk acoustic wave resonator (TFBAR). ZnO nanotips provide giant effective surface area and strong bonding sites. Furthermore, the controllable wettability of ZnO nanostructured surface dramatically reduces the liquid consumption and enhances the sensitivity of the biosensor device.
US07989848B2 Semiconductor device having at least four side-by-side electrodes of equal length and equal pitch with at least two transistor connections to power or ground
A substrate portion of a semiconductor device is formed to include a plurality of diffusion regions that are defined in a non-symmetrical manner relative to a virtual line defined to bisect the substrate portion. A gate electrode level region is formed above the substrate portion to include a number of conductive features defined to extend in only a first parallel direction. Each of the number of conductive features within the gate electrode level region is fabricated from a respective originating rectangular-shaped layout feature. The conductive features within the gate electrode level region are defined along at least four different virtual lines of extent in the first parallel direction. A width size of the conductive features within the gate electrode level region is measured perpendicular to the first parallel direction and is less than a wavelength of light used in a photolithography process to fabricate the conductive features.
US07989847B2 Semiconductor device having linear-shaped gate electrodes of different transistor types with uniformity extending portions of different lengths
A restricted layout region includes a diffusion level layout that includes a number of diffusion region layout shapes to be formed within a portion of a substrate of a semiconductor device. The diffusion region layout shapes define at least one p-type diffusion region and at least one n-type diffusion region. The restricted layout region includes a gate electrode level layout defined to include rectangular-shaped layout features placed to extend in only a first parallel direction. Some of the rectangular-shaped layout features form gate electrodes of respective PMOS transistor devices, and some of the rectangular-shaped layout features form gate electrodes of respective NMOS transistor devices. A total number of the PMOS transistor devices and the NMOS transistor devices in the restricted layout region of the semiconductor device is greater than or equal to eight. Additionally, the restricted layout region corresponds to an entire gate electrode level of a cell layout.
US07989839B2 Method and apparatus for using light emitting diodes
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for using light emitting diodes for curing and various solid state lighting applications. The method includes a novel method for cooling the light emitting diodes and mounting the same on heat pipe in a manner which delivers ultra high power in UV, visible and IR regions. Furthermore, the unique LED packaging technology of the present invention utilizes heat pipes that perform very efficiently in very compact space. Much more closely spaced LEDs operating at higher power levels and brightness are possible because the thermal energy is transported in an axial direction down the heat pipe and away from the light-emitting direction rather than a radial direction in nearly the same plane as the “p-n” junction.
US07989837B2 Light chain
A light chain includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) electrically connected to each other. Each LED includes an LED chip having a first pole and a second pole, and a packaging layer encapsulating the LED chip. A first electrode has an inner end connected to the first pole, and an outer end extending to the outside of the packaging layer. A second electrode has an inner end connected to the second pole, and an outer end extending to the outside of the packaging layer. A third electrode has a first outer end and a second outer end located at the outside. The outer end of the first electrode and the first outer end cooperatively form a first plug; the outer end of the second electrode and the second outer end cooperatively form a second plug configured to attach to a first plug of an adjacent LED.
US07989835B2 Light emitting diode package including metal lines having gap therebetween
Provided is an LED package. It is easy to control luminance according to the luminance and an angle applicable. Since heat is efficiently emitted, the LED package is easily applicable to a high luminance LED. The manufacturing process is convenient and the cost is reduced. The LED package includes a substrate, an electrode, an LED, and a heatsink hole. The electrode is formed on the substrate. The LED is mounted in a side of the substrate and is electrically connected to the electrode. The heatsink hole is formed to pass through the substrate, for emitting out heat generated from the LED.
US07989832B2 Light emitting device and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed are a light emitting device and a manufacturing method thereof. The light emitting device comprises a first conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer on the first conductive semiconductor, a second conductive semiconductor layer on the active layer, and a dot-shaped roughness layer on the second conductive semiconductor layer.
US07989827B2 Multichip light emitting diode package
A multichip light emitting diode package is provided. The multichip light emitting diode (LED) package includes a substrate having a non-plane surface including a plurality of sectioned-surfaces, a plurality of light emitting diode chips and a transparent molding material. Each of the light emitting diode chips is disposed on one of the sectioned-surfaces of the substrate. The transparent molding material is formed on the substrate for encapsulating the light emitting diode chips. By way of the configurations of the non-plane surface of the substrate and the transparent molding material, the multichip light emitting diode package emits converging light in accordance with the Snell's law. The purposes of evenly mixing emitting lights and improving brightness are achieved. The present invention can provide a single color, multi-color or full-color multichip LED package with uniform brightness and hues.
US07989820B2 Semiconductor light emitting device and method of fabricating the same
Provided are a semiconductor light emitting device and a method of fabricating the same. The semiconductor light emitting device comprises: a light emitting structure comprising a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer under the first conductive type semiconductor layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer under the active layer; a reflective electrode layer under the light emitting structure, and an outer protection layer at an outer circumference of the reflective electrode layer.
US07989817B2 Light-emitting diode chip package body and packaging method thereof
AN LED chip package body provides an LED chip with a pad-installed surface, a plurality of pads disposed on the pad-installed surface and a rear surface formed opposite the pad-installed surface. The LED chip package body further has a light-reflecting coating disposed on the pad-installed surface of the LED chip and a plurality of pad-exposed holes for exposure of the corresponding pads of the LED chip. The LED chip package body further comprises a light-transparent element disposed on the rear surface of the LED chip and a plurality of conductive projecting blocks. Each of the conductive projecting blocks is disposed on the corresponding pad of the LED chip.
US07989813B2 Display apparatus with storage electrodes having concavo-convex features
A display apparatus includes a substrate; a first insulating layer formed on the substrate and having an upper surface including a concavo-convex area including one or more concave features and one or more convex features; a first storage electrode overlaying the upper surface and a side surface of the first insulating layer and having an upper surface including a concavo-convex area including one or more concave features and one or more convex features, each concave feature of the first storage electrode overlying at least one respective concave feature of the first insulating layer, each convex feature of the first storage electrode overlying at least one respective convex feature of the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer formed on the first storage electrode; and a second storage electrode formed on the second insulating layer which separates the second storage electrode from the underlying first storage electrode.
US07989812B2 EL display device and a method of manufacturing the same
To provide a high throughput film deposition means for film depositing an organic EL material made of polymer accurately and without any positional shift. A pixel portion is divided into a plurality of pixel rows by a bank, and a head portion of a thin film deposition apparatus is scanned along a pixel row to thereby simultaneously apply a red light emitting layer application liquid, a green light emitting layer application liquid, and a blue light emitting layer application liquid in stripe shapes. Heat treatment is then performed to thereby form light emitting layers luminescing each of the colors red, green, and blue.
US07989810B2 Semiconductor device, electrooptical apparatus, and electronic system
A semiconductor device on a flexible substrate includes a semiconductor layer constituting a plurality of bottom-gate thin-film transistors, first wiring lines, second wiring lines, a first insulating layer, and a gate insulating film. The first insulating layer and the gate insulating film are present below the semiconductor layer, the first wiring lines, and the second wiring lines and are partially removed in regions where the semiconductor layer, the first wiring lines, and the second wiring lines are not disposed.
US07989798B2 Fabricating arrays of metallic nanostructures
A patterned array of metallic nanostructures and fabrication thereof is described. A device comprises a patterned array of metallic columns vertically extending from a substrate. Each metallic column is formed by metallically coating one of an array of non-metallic nanowires catalytically grown from the substrate upon a predetermined lateral pattern of seed points placed thereon according to a nanoimprinting process. An apparatus for fabricating a patterned array of metallic nanostructures is also described.
US07989792B2 Abrupt metal-insulator transition device with parallel MIT material layers
An abrupt MIT (metal-insulator transition) device with parallel MIT material layers is provided. The abrupt MIT device includes a first electrode disposed on a certain region of a substrate, a second electrode disposed so as to be spaced a predetermined distance apart from the first electrode, and at least one MIT material layer electrically connecting the first electrode with the second electrode and having a width that allows the entire region of the MIT material layer to be transformed into a metal layer due to an MIT. Due to this configuration, deterioration of the MIT material layer, which is typically caused by current flowing through the MIT material layer, is less likely to occur.
US07989790B2 Resistance random access memory
A memory comprises a number of word lines in a first direction, a number of bit lines in a second direction, each coupled to at least one of the word lines, and a number of memory elements, each coupled to one of the word lines and one of the bit lines. Each memory element comprises a top electrode for connecting to a corresponding word line, a bottom electrode for connecting to a corresponding bit line, a resistive layer on the bottom electrode, and at least two separate liners, each liner having resistive materials on both ends of the liner and each liner coupled between the top electrode and the resistive layer.
US07989786B2 Laser-driven light source
An apparatus for producing light includes a chamber and an ignition source that ionizes a gas within the chamber. The apparatus also includes at least one laser that provides energy to the ionized gas within the chamber to produce a high brightness light. The laser can provide a substantially continuous amount of energy to the ionized gas to generate a substantially continuous high brightness light.
US07989781B2 Detector for a UV false positive of radiation sensitive devices
Disclosed is a detector for monitoring a UV false positive from genuine X-ray positive of color developing radiation sensitive devices. A layer which can be scratched off and is opaque to undesired radiation but transparent to X-ray is printed on the sensor. If the sensor displays a signal (i.e., develops color), whether it is genuine or false positive can be confirmed by scratching off the opaque layer. If the signal is a genuine positive, the whole sensor will be uniformly exposed/colored including the area under the opaque layer. If it is a false positive, the area under the scratched off layer will be of lighter color than the rest of the sensor.
US07989770B2 Control unit and control method for radiation source and radiation inspection system and method thereof
A radiation inspection system is disclosed. The radiation inspection system comprises: an inspection passage through which a moving object under inspection can pass, a radiation source disposed on a side of the inspection passage for emitting radiation, an array of detectors disposed on the other side of the inspection passage opposite to the radiation source for receiving the radiation emitted from the radiation source, a detector for detecting the moving object, and a controller for receiving a signal from the detector and controlling the radiation source to emit radiation when the detector detects the moving object for radiation imaging and inspection of the moving object. According to the radiation inspection system, the controller can control the radiation source to automatically emit radiation beam based on the detection signal from the detector for inspecting the moving object. As a result, inspection efficiency is improved, safety is increased, and misoperation of the radiation source is eliminated.
US07989766B2 Sample inspection apparatus
A sample inspection apparatus in which a fault in a semiconductor sample can be measured and analyzed efficiently. A plurality of probes are brought into contact with the sample. The sample is irradiated with an electron beam while a current flowing through the probes is measured. Signals from at least two probes are supplied to an image processing unit so as to form an absorbed electron current image. A difference between images obtained in accordance with a temperature change of the sample is obtained. A faulty point is identified from the difference between the images.
US07989754B2 Optical circuit and method for measuring monitor characteristic
An optical circuit includes a selector that supplies an output current from a first photodetector to a converter provided for a second photodetector, and a processor that imaginarily calculates the level of signal light output from an optical device, which is detected by the second photodetector, based upon the level of signal light input to the optical device, which is measured by measurement means, and upon conversion efficiencies of the first and second photodetectors and that thus calculates the correlation between the output signal light level and its monitored value output from the converter provided for the second photodetector.
US07989752B2 Solid-state imaging device and solid-state imaging device manufacturing method
A solid-state imaging device 1 includes: a semiconductor substrate 11 on which pixels are placed like a matrix; and each of the pixels having a photoelectric conversion element 13 and a color filter layer 21 which is formed on the photoelectric conversion element 13. The solid-state imaging device 1 includes resin parts 20 which are formed at the boundaries of these photoelectric conversion devices 13 which are adjacent to each other, each of the resin parts 20 having an upward convex shape. Each color filter layer 21 of the device is formed so that the color filter layer covers the area ranging from the summit of a resin part to the summit of an adjacent resin part, and each color filter layer 21 is thinner in the peripheral part than in the center part around the summit.
US07989748B2 Image reading apparatus, image forming apparatus, image inspecting apparatus and image forming system
A level detecting part detects image data levels for the respective output directions of the first half and the second half to be used for the linearity correction, which image data levels correspond to image data around a connection point between the first half and the second half and are obtained from respective combinations for the respective output directions of the first half and the second half. A calculating part calculates linearity correction values or correction value calculating parameters from the detected image data levels for any one of the first half and the second half; and a defect detection part detecting a defect in the image data levels thus detected around the connection point are provided.
US07989742B2 Process to control the initiation of an attack module and initiation control device implementing said process
The invention relates to a process to control the initiation of an attack module, such as a projectile or sub-projectile, such attack module having at least one pre-determined direction of action. Before firing or on trajectory, the coordinates of at least one target are programmed into a fixed terrestrial reference, the orientation of the direction(s) of action in the fixed terrestrial reference is determined at least once on trajectory, and the initiation of the attack module is only authorized if the direction of action is oriented in the direction of the target. The invention also relates to the device implementing such a process.
US07989740B2 Heating cable
A heating cable includes a bus wire structure that includes a plurality of bus wires. An insulation layer is provided to insulate the plurality of bus wires. A plurality of node areas exposes portions of the bus wires from the insulation. A heating element is wrapped around the bus wire structure in a helical manner. The heating element includes an insulating core and one or more resistance wires wrapped around the core in a helical manner. The heating element is electrically coupled to the nodes of the bus wire structure at the plurality of node areas. The insulating core may be made of a folded-over tape made of a cloth material, such as glass cloth. Pluralities of redundant paths in between two nodes are provided to allow for current to flow in a zone if one of the redundant paths is broken.
US07989732B2 Method of AC welding using a flux cored electrode
A method of AC welding that includes the step of supplying AC current with a given waveform from a power source to an advancing electrode and workpiece. The AC current is used to melt the electrode and to thereby deposit metal from the electrode onto the workpiece. The electrode includes a particulate arc stabilizing compound. The particulate arc stabilizing compound includes sodium and titanium dioxide. The particulate arc stabilizing compound constitutes over 20% by weight of the core of the electrode.